USS Theodore Roosevelt sailor dies from COVID-19

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A sailor assigned to an aircraft carrier that is the site of a novel coronavirus outbreak has died from the disease, the U.S. Navy announced Monday.

The sailor was admitted to the intensive care unit at the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam on Thursday after being found unresponsive during a routine medical check. The sailor tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, March 30.

The deceased's name is being withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin are notified in line with standard Pentagon procedure.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Guam March 27 for a scheduled port visit after three crew members tested positive for COVID-19.

Ousted Capt. Brett Crozier attempted to raise the alarm in an email he sent to Navy leadership warning of the novel coronavirus outbreak on board the aircraft carrier

During a surprise visit to the ship last Monday, former Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly berated Crozier, whom he dismissed days earlier, telling the crew their former leader is "too naive or too stupid" to remain in command if he thought the warning would not leak to the press.

Modly tendered his resignation after the remarks elicited widespread outrage.

Crozier departed the aircraft carrier following his ouster to raucous cheers from the crew who ecstatically voiced support for their chief. He has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

In all, 92% of the Theodore Roosevelt's crew have received COVID-19 testing, with 585 testing positive and 3,724 crew members having negative results, according to the latest data from the Pentagon.