COVID-19 Outbreak in A Forward-Deployed Expeditionary Military Command: A Retrospective Review on Preventative Measures and Outbreak Characteristics.

Background: An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occured within a land based 2,000-member cohort stationed on a remote air base in the Middle East from June to August 2020. We retrospectively reviewed base characteristics and mitigation measures instituted during the outbreak. We also reviewed documentation on the individuals that were either quarantined or placed in isolation and provide data on demographics, real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results, occupation, and workdays lost.

Results: During the reporting period, 46 individuals or 3.84% of the population had a positive COVID-19 rRT-PCR test. Aviation personnel represented 50% of the COVID-19 positive tests. Sixteen percent of health care personnel were tested positive. Overall, 10% of personnel were placed in isolation or quarantine, resulting in the loss of 1,552 workdays.

Conclusions: The data show a disproportionate impact on healthcare workers and personnel involved in aviation operations. The purpose of this study is 2-fold: to describe the characteristics of the outbreak and to highlight the effectiveness of mitigation measures implemented to control it during military operations. This study may serve to inform medical professionals and military leaders in the management of a similar outbreak in a congregate living setting.