Two positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt this week.
The armed forces says the first case was identified late Wednesday night at a navy fleet maintenance facility.
Lieutenant Commander Tony Wright says on Thursday, the facility went into a “minimum manning position”, as critical maintenance continues in the fleet.
But a second positive COVID-19 case was identified to someone who worked closely with the initial Defence Team member who contracted the virus.
The maintenance facility, located within Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard at CFB Esquimalt, remains at minimum manning and is being sanitized.
Officials say contact tracing and required testing is being carried out by B.C. public health.
“Our priority is the health and safety of our civilian and military members of the Defence Team and Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton will return to its operating posture only when it is safe to do so,” Lt.-Cmdr. Wright said.
The positive cases are not expected to impact a joint training exercise with the U.S. navy, starting Monday.
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