The First Colorado National Guard member has tested positive for COVID-19.
The service member is being cared for while in isolation in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Fort Carson Public Health guidelines at the 168th Regiment Regional Training Center of Excellence at Fort Carson, Colorado, a Colorado National Guard news release said Saturday.
The RTIoE is located outside of the living and work areas of soldiers, civilians, and family members at Fort Carson.
“Protecting the health of our force, families and our communities is our top priority,” said Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Loh. “We have taken every precaution, in coordination with our state and federal partners, to isolate our National Guard member to prevent the spread of this disease while ensuring he receives proper medical attention.”
The service member does not require hospitalization, a news release from the Colorado National Guard said.
A public information officer for the Colorado National Guard Public Affairs declined Saturday to answer questions about the press release, saying that another release was expected in a couple of hours.
The National Guard member is serving in the Colorado Army National Guard.
The soldier is in his 30s and is a male resident of Douglas County.
Earlier this week, the Mountain Post at Fort Carson announced 500 Fort Carson residents were quarantined, with eight in isolation. Many of the quarantined are soldiers and family members who had been skiing, Col. Eric Edwards, commander of Evans Army Community Hospital, told The Gazette.
Details regarding his exposure are under investigation by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
By order of Gov. Jared Polis, about 70 Colorado National Guard members have been mobilized and are on active duty in support of the State Emergency Operations Center and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with medical support and logistics at drive-up COVID-19 testing centers in various communities throughout the state.
Earlier this week, the Colorado National Guard supervised testing in Telluride. San Miguel County subsequently was ordered to shelter in place status because of the risk of COVID-19.
