Final cohort of US Marines due to arrive in Darwin for MRF-D after COVID-19 case

THE fourth and final tranche of US Marines is scheduled to arrive in Darwin in coming days, as Defence says finding a case of coronavirus among the ranks shows the ‘effectiveness’ of quarantine and testing procedures.

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THE fourth and final tranche of US Marines is scheduled to arrive in Darwin in coming days, as Defence says finding a case of coronavirus among the ranks shows the “effectiveness” of quarantine and testing procedures.

A 21-year-old US Marine on Friday became the second case of coronavirus detected in Darwin in July, bringing the NT’s total to 32 since the pandemic began.

The man, who is being cared for at Royal Darwin Hospital, tested positive upon his first screening in the NT, was in quarantine the whole time and is not considered a risk to the wider community.

US Marines with Marine Rotational Force Darwin arrive at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin. Picture: Gunnery Sergeant Scott M. Schmidt

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A Defence spokesman confirmed a final tranche of US Marines was still scheduled to arrive in the Top End for a slimmed down version of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin.

“The decision to proceed with the modified MRF-D was made after careful consideration and consultation between the federal and Territory governments,” he said.

“This decision was made on the basis of a thorough process for managing any possible cases being developed and put in place.

“Prompt diagnosis of the US Marine with COVID-19 in quarantine shows the effectiveness of the procedures we have implemented.”

The 300 remaining US Marines who flew into Darwin with the man tested negative for COVID-19 in their first swab and will be tested again before their quarantine is due to end.

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Flight data shows the US Marines landed in Darwin via Okinawa, Japan, where the US base has had a few cases of coronavirus.

That includes one on July 1 when a family member of a Marine tested positive after returning from the US.

US Defence Department data shows 1770 Marine Corps personnel across the world have tested positive for COVID-19, out of 23,842 total cases linked to the military, through either serving members, dependants, civilian staff and contractors.

Of those cases, 41 people have died.