U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
Respiratory Virus Guidance
JBSA HPCON 0 (Normal)
JBSA Health Update (JBSA.MIL)
Latest Updates
General Guidance: Maintain core prevention strategies.
Hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness) is a core prevention strategy to lower risk from respiratory viruses (RV).
- Encourage mask usage when around others if sick or confirmed exposure to RV contact
- Frequent hand sanitization and/or handwashing
- Physical distancing as attainable
- Increased area/equipment disinfection activities
For confirmed respiratory illness by available testing methods, an individual may return to duty (RTD) if symptoms are improving and are fever free (without using fever-reducing medications) over the past 24 hours or RTD as directed by a treating healthcare provider. Wear a mask for 5 days when around others upon return along with observance of above strategies.
For close contact, if fever develops and/or symptoms of respiratory illness arise (symptoms may include but are not limited to chest discomfort, chills, cough, decrease in appetite, diarrhea, fatigue (tiredness), fever or feeling feverish, headache, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, vomiting, weakness, wheezing), contact PCM or sick call and consider testing based on provider recommendations.
Safety Measures
Under Secretary of Defense memorandum dated 13 November 2023, Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Influenza Vaccines for 2023-2024 highlights are as follows:- Vaccines provide a safe and effective means of countering the threats to personal health and military readiness.
- It is highly encouraged that all DoD personnel receive the 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines dose.
- The seasonal influenza vaccine is mandatory for Service members and for healthcare personnel working in military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) as outlined in DoD instruction 6205.03.
JBSA COVID-19 Guidance Memorandum #68 (12 May 2023) updates the Health Protection Condition level from HPCON A to HPCON 0 (Normal), effective 15 May 2023. Under normal baseline operations, units and individuals should resume routine standard operations and maintain standard precautions, such as routine hand washing, coughing on one`s sleeve, good diets, exercise, vaccinations, education, routine health alerts, and regular preparedness activities.- Under Secretary of Defense memorandum dated 26 July 2023, Force Health Protection Guidance highlights are as follows:
- Symptomatic individuals - those exhibiting symptoms of an infectious respiratory disease, including colds, influenza, and COVID-19, should not come to the workplace or conduct official travel until symptoms have begun to resolve.
- Negative test results are not required for individuals who have recently recovered from a respiratory infection.
- DoD personnel outside the U.S. must follow requirements imposed by allied forces and by COCOMs.
- Mask wearing - individuals who have recently recovered from a respiratory infection should consider wearing a mask in the workplace for 10 full days following initial symptoms. Consider wearing masks based on personal health risks. DoD may limit voluntary mask wearing if necessary for safety or military operational reasons.
- Symptomatic individuals - those exhibiting symptoms of an infectious respiratory disease, including colds, influenza, and COVID-19, should not come to the workplace or conduct official travel until symptoms have begun to resolve.
Health Protection Condition 0 Actions
- Take everyday actions to stop the spread of germs:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
- Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue, then throw it in the trash; cough/sneeze into your elbow if tissues are unavailable.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Ensure all immunizations are up to date, including your seasonal flu shot.
- Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with Family members and pets.
- Create an emergency preparedness kit.
Useful Websites
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
JBSA COVID-19 Response Support