MacDill Air Force Base reports more confirmed coronavirus cases

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TAMPA — MacDill Air Force Base says it is monitoring more positive cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to a statement posted late Monday to the base’s Facebook page.

As a result, the 6th Air Refueling Wing commander who oversees the base declared a public health emergency. However, no immediate additional restrictions were put in place.

Base officials say they are now monitoring three confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, they did not say if three new cases have been discovered on base, or if that includes the first case reported last week.

On Friday, a Navy sailor assigned to U.S. Central Command, which is headquartered at MacDill, tested positive for COVID-19, according to Navy Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for CentCom. Upon returning to the U.S. from overseas on March 15 the sailor self-quarantined at his residence in Tampa without stopping at MacDill first. He was later tested at the base’s clinic after developing symptoms and is under treatment at home.

MacDill is home to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, CentCom and U.S. Special Operations Command.

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