San Diego-based USS Roosevelt's captain seeks crew isolation as COVID-19 spreads

WASHINGTON (AP) — The captain of a San Diego-based U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus is asking for permission to isolate the bulk of his roughly 5,000 crew members on shore.

The extraordinary move would take the warship out of duty in an effort to save lives.

The captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt says the spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating. He says removing all but 10 percent of the crew is a “necessary risk” in order to stop the spread of the virus.

The ship is docked in Guam.

The Navy is no longer reporting the number of positive coronavirus cases on its ships. At last report, there were more than 30 COVID-19 cases on the USS Roosevelt.

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