Georgia’s Robins Air Force Base has first confirmed case of coronavirus

A civilian employee at Robins Air Force Base has tested positive for COVID-19.

“This is our first confirmed case of a base affiliated member,” Col. Brian Moore, Robins installation commander said in a news release issued Saturday. “The continued safety and well-being of Team Robins is my top priority.

“We are working with our base medical staff and off-base health care agencies to ensure we mitigate the effects of COVID-19 using established Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Defense Department guidelines.”

Public health teams are working together to trace previous contact and exposure and then quarantine as applicable, Moore said. Those potentially affected will be notified.

Base personnel and their families were encouraged to practice social distancing, wash their hands and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

“We are encouraging all personnel to follow Force Health Protection guidelines to safeguard our community to prevent widespread outbreak, and adhere to travel advisories and restrictions,” Moore said. “Robins AFB leadership will continually monitor the situation and provide additional information as it becomes available.”

The first case of COVID-19, a healthcare professional in Houston County, in Middle Georgia was confirmed positive Wednesday.

This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 4:57 PM.