A U.S. Marine assigned to Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia, tested positive with coronavirus on Saturday, the Pentagon says.
The Marine "recently returned from overseas, where he was on official business," the Pentagon said in a statement Saturday evening.
The man started showing symptoms on February 14, returned to the U.S. several days later. He lives at Quantico Marine Corps Base and was hospitalized this week, Virginia health officials said on Sunday.
This marks the first case diagnosed in the state of Virginia.
Gov. Ralph Northam said in a tweet, "We are working closely with federal, military, and local partners to respond to a COVID-19 case at Ft. Belvoir. The risk to Virginians remains low, but please continue to stay aware and take basic health precautions."
Virginia's health department sought to reassure the public and encourage basic hygiene measures.
"Public health officials caution that evidence has not been seen of COVID-19 spreading in Virginia and said the risk is low," a statement from the department said.
The Marine is being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. They live on Marine Base Quantico and any potential contacts there are under investigation, Virginia health officials said.
Prince William County health officials are helping state officials trace the patient's contacts over the past several days.
The White House has been notified and the Secretary of Defense has been briefed, the Pentagon said.
Stay with News4 for more details on this developing story.
