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News | March 4, 2020

USAREC to pre-screen Future Soldiers for coronavirus disease as precautionary measure

By USAREC PAO

U.S. Army Recruiting Command is pre-screening all Future Soldiers who are about to ship to basic training to ensure they have not been exposed to COVID-19, or coronavirus disease.

As a precautionary measure to protect the health of the force and minimize the spread of the virus, recruiters are required to ask the Future Soldiers who are within three days of shipping a series of questions to identify those at increased risk of contracting the coronavirus disease and those with current respiratory symptoms.

Future Soldiers who are at risk or have current symptoms will be directed to contact a medical provider to be evaluated, and then must be cleared by the Military Entrance Processing Station before shipping. This could result in a delay in shipping to the training base – the length of the delay will depend on how long it takes the individual to be free of any symptoms and ensure she/he does not have coronavirus disease as well as training seat availability.

Future Soldiers who are not at increased risk and are symptom free will ship to basic training as scheduled. As an additional precautionary measure, all trainees at all Army Basic Combat Training locations will be screened for coronavirus disease at the reception battalion before moving onto their training units.

The Army as a whole is taking precautionary measures to protect the health of the force and maintain operational readiness. The Army is encouraging all personnel to follow the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The risk of contracting the coronavirus disease is low, but CDC officials do recommend getting an influenza vaccine and taking everyday preventive actions to help preclude the spread of germs.

Protecting the force includes mitigating the spread of the virus by following recommended preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning frequently touched objects and surfaces, staying home when feeling ill, and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and/or mouth. 

Army medical staff and public health professionals continue to closely monitor the situation and are working with federal, state and local public health personnel for updates. Army medical personnel are prepared to help combat potential widespread infection.

More information about the virus and protective measures can be found on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/index.html.

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