WPAFB elevated to highest health protection level

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has announced it has upgraded to Health Protection Condition Delta, putting it at the highest level under the base’s health protection system.

“I’m not looking to shut down the gates,” Miller said. “I’m not looking to close business operations on the installation.”

The change is due to the rise in new COVID-19 cases, percent of test positivity and hospitalizations in counties that surround the base.

>> ‘Kicking our butt right now;’ WPAFB considers health protocol status change as COVID spike continues

“Our goal is to provide a safe, healthy environment for our Airmen and their families,” said Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and Installation commander. “We have already been actively practicing many of those HPCON Delta measures such as declaration of a public health emergency, wearing facial coverings, maintaining physical distancing, and screening testing.”

The base had been sitting at Charlie status on their health protocol status, which sets workplace facility occupancy is at 25 percent or less. However, the switch to Delta could see more workers switching to remote work and facility capacity limits reduced further.

Miller did not announce any specific changes during the immediate announcement shared Friday morning, but did say he is looking at items like pausing fitness assessments and making food operations a to-go operation. He said additional announcements will be coming on what the impact will be on the base.

“You’re not going to see the shut down of 2020,” Miller said.

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