An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Marine Installation Leaders, Okinawa Officials Meet to Discuss COVID-19

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

Okinawa Government representatives met with Marine Corps Installations Pacific leaders and medical professionals to discuss COVID-19-related information at Camp Foster Naval Hospital.

Testing capabilities, tracing efforts and reporting procedures of both the Okinawa prefect and U.S. military entities were among the many topics discussed during the July 15 meeting.

Service members and civilians talk while seated at a conference table. All are wearing face masks.
Medical Talk
Okinawa government representatives meet with Marine Corps Installations Pacific leaders and medical professionals to discuss COVID-19-related information at Camp Foster Naval Hospital, July 15, 2020. They agreed to continue open communication and to meet regularly via teleconference to ensure proper protective measures are in place.
Credit: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Karis Mattingly
VIRIN: 200715-M-TS451-0145C

"We are genuinely open to communicating so that both the U.S. military and Okinawa government can fight the spread of COVID-19," said Marine Corps Col. Neil Owens, director of government and external affairs for Marine Corps Installations Pacific.

Members of each party expressed their concerns and ideas regarding Okinawa's current COVID-19 situation. One topic of importance was the preventive measures each entity has put in place to fight the spread of COVID-19. MCIPAC recently enacted enhanced protective measures, limiting on-base activities and prohibiting off-base activities as part of their combined efforts.

Navy Capt. David Krulak, commanding officer of U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, reassured the Okinawa government representatives that the hospital has aggressively tested large numbers of people at once. He also expanded upon tracing efforts, noting that the naval hospital contact-trace teams investigate asymptomatic individuals back at least 10 days to locate any close contacts who indicate a need for testing.

A civilian woman, a civilian man and a Marine, all wearing face masks, sit at a conference table during a meeting.
Leaders Meet
Okinawa government representatives meet with Marine Corps Installations Pacific leaders and medical professionals to discuss COVID-19-related information at Camp Foster Naval Hospital, July 15, 2020. The parties agreed to continue open communication and to meet regularly via teleconference to ensure proper protective measures are in place.
Credit: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Karis Mattingly
VIRIN: 200715-M-TS451-0133C
Two men wearing face masks exchange business cards.
Open Communication
Two participants exchange business cards as Okinawa government representatives meet with Marine Corps Installations Pacific leaders and medical professionals to discuss COVID-19-related information at Camp Foster Naval Hospital, July 15, 2020. The parties agreed to continue open communication and to meet regularly via teleconference to ensure proper protective measures are in place.
Credit: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Karis Mattingly
VIRIN: 200717-M-TS451-0062

The military and government leaders agreed to continue open communication and to meet regularly via teleconference to ensure proper protective measures are in place.

"We will continue to work closely to ensure the health of all people on the island," Krulak said during his closing remarks.

Related Stories