Washington: The command in charge of processing new recruits into American military services has updated its policy for accessing Coronavirus survivors, loosening restrictions banning anyone who has been diagnosed to only those who were hospitalised because of complications.
The change came days after an original memo circulated on Twitter, caused an uproar in the face of a pandemic that will touch millions of Americans, according to public health estimates.
That guidance was part of an “interim” memo, which characterised a COVID-19 diagnosis as a no-go, updated on May 7, a defence official told media.
“During the medical history interview or examination, a history of COVID-19, confirmed by either a laboratory test or a clinician diagnosis, is permanently disqualifying …” the memo reads.
Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPC) will now accept recruits who have previously tested positive for coronavirus as long as they haven’t been hospitalised, the official confirmed, a clarifying update of what is still interim guidance.
However, the official did not provide any specific definition of hospitalisation, which could include layers of severity from an emergency room visit to supportive care like oxygen and fluids, to intubation for a ventilator to facilitate breathing.
Though the services are testing all new basic trainees for Coronavirus upon arrival, there are several layers of screening a recruit goes through before swearing-in, as a matter of practice, the services filter out issues that could affect individual and unit readiness down the line before that point.
With some states easing restrictions on local businesses and outdoor gathering spots, military installations will have to balance safety of forces with civilian moves.
With so little research available on the long-term implications of a COVID-19 infection, MEPCOM is erring on the side of caution. Preliminary studies have found significant lung damage in COVID-19 patients, which could affect fitness for combat in a service member. There are also questions as to whether the antibodies provide any protection against re-infection, or if one bout with Coronavirus could make a person more susceptible to another.
