U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has reported at least 25 virus infections
among its troops and employees in the past two weeks, including 11
on Monday. All were confirmed upon arrival or while spending two
weeks in mandatory quarantine.
The surge has prompted Pyeongtaek, home to the sprawling Camp
Humphreys south of Seoul, to ask the government to request a
pre-departure test for incoming U.S. soldiers, a city official said.
"Luckily there's no infection within the base reported so far, but
we thought a prior test could curb the numbers and soothe concerns
among residents," the official told Reuters.
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The USFK did not respond to a request seeking comment. But it has
said it is taking aggressive quarantine measures, with fewer than 1%
of active duty personnel having tested positive.
All arrivals face a test, two weeks in isolation and a second test
before release.
On Monday, health ministry official Son Young-rae described U.S.
authorities' response to the virus as "extremely strong", adding
that both sides are in close consultation on further steps.
A South Korean military official said more U.S. troops were
confirmed infected as the current rotation season nears its end.
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About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53
Korean War that ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
Host to more than 20,000 soldiers, the Pyeongtaek garrison is the largest
overseas U.S. base, sprawling over an area of 14.7 million square meters (17.6
million sq yards).
South Korea reported 39 new virus infections on Wednesday, among them 28
overseas travellers, for a 20th consecutive day of imported cases in double
digits.
It unveiled plans this week to seek pre-departure tests of visitors from six
countries, ranging from Bangladesh and Pakistan.
(Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus: open https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7
in an external browser.)
(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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