U.S. Navy vessel stuck at Guantanamo Bay after COVID-19 outbreak hits fully vaccinated crew

A U.S. Navy combat ship – deployed to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean and East Pacific – has been forced to remain in port at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after a coronavirus outbreak spread among the fully vaccinated crew.

According to Navy spokeswoman Commander Kate Meadows, only a portion of those infected aboard the USS Milwaukee were experiencing mild symptoms. It remains unclear what role the omicron variant has played in the outbreak, however.

“The crew is 100 percent immunized and all COVID-19 positive Sailors are isolated onboard and away from crew members,” U.S. 4th Fleet said in a statement. “A portion of those infected have exhibited mild symptoms. The vaccine continues to demonstrate effectiveness against serious illness.”

The 105-member crew, plus a helicopter combat crew and a Coast Guard law enforcement unit, is currently in isolation aboard the vessel.

Christmas was still celebrated, however, and the crew was able to attend an open-air service on the pier on Saturday, which allowed the sailors to celebrate the holiday while remaining socially distanced and following public health guidelines, the New York Times reported.

According to Commander Meadows, the crew has been “using the open space and fresh air for as many safe activities as they can” and the chefs onboard made a “special Christmas meal for everyone.” She added that service members have been barred from entering the base since arriving in order to avoid exposing the small community at Guantanamo Bay.

The Milwaukee left its home port in Jacksonville, Fla., on Dec. 14 as part of the U.S. Southern Command’s efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. The ship made a refueling and resupply stop at Guantánamo Bay on Dec. 20 and extended its stay due to the outbreak.

In a statement, the Navy said that “the ship is following an aggressive mitigation strategy” and that “the vaccine continues to demonstrate effectiveness against serious illness” among the crew.

Although a number of Navy officers were fired earlier this month over their refusal to comply with the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate, the Navy has reported that more than 98 percent of its members are fully vaccinated.