Coronavirus: 2 new COVID-19 cases reported at WPAFB childcare center

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — UPDATE @ 7:35 a.m. (June 16):

Two additional positive COVID-19 cases were confirmed Monday at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Wright Field North facility, bringing the total number of cases to three, according to an updated social media post issued by the base Monday night.

>>Coronavirus Pandemic: What you need to know Tuesday

Base officials added the facility was in fact open last week and Center for Disease Control staff members notified parents of children who were at the facility. Previously, WPAFB officials said the facility was closed last week.

Additional contact tracing and other follow-up actions were being made with families of children who were in contact with the childcare worker who initially tested positive.

Both the Wright Field North and South facilities will be closed Tuesday for a thorough deep cleaning. Two other facilities, the New Horizons and Prairies Child and Youth complexes were cleaned overnight, base officials said.

We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.

FIRST REPORT (June 15):

Base officials are taking extra precautions after one of its childcare workers at Wright Field North tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the center reopening Monday.

“At this time, installation officials feel there is a low risk of exposure to our population because the employee was not at work last week and the facility was closed. Installation leadership will continue to work closely with Public Health as this situation continues to evolve,” Wright-Patterson Air Force Base officials said.

>> Coronavirus Pandemic: What you need to know Monday

Any staff that was in contact with the positive employee has been told to self-isolate and additional staff who were not in contact with the positive employee will assist with care for the kids. Children will not be in contact with anyone who was in contact with the employee.

The base has disinfected the child care center and it has reopened as planned for today.

The child development centers on the base follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. Screenings and temperature checks are conducted for anyone entering the facilities and employees wear masks when social distancing guidelines are not met.

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