The captain of a naval aircraft carrier has reached out to the Navy, asking for help in handling an outbreak of COVID-19 on the ship.

Captain Brett Crozier said in a letter to the Navy on Monday that isolation measures are needed on his vessel, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is currently docked on Guam and carrying around 4,000 people, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle.

“This will require a political solution but it is the right thing to do,” Crozier wrote in a four-page letter. “We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset – our Sailors.”

As of Monday, roughly 150-200 sailors on board are reported to have tested positive for the virus.

Crozier said in his letter that isolation is needed aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in order to avoid a continued spread and to prevent deaths.

“The ship’s commanding officer advocated for housing more members of the crew in facilities that allow for better isolation,” the Navy said in a statement, responding to Crozier’s letter.

“Navy leadership is moving quickly to take all necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of the crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt, and is pursuing options to address the concerns raised by the commanding officer.”

Coronavirus is spreading uncontrollably through the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, its captain said.
Coronavirus is spreading uncontrollably through the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, its captain said. Navy Office of Information / Anthony J. RIVERA
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