Whiteman Air Force Base temporarily closes Child Development Center and Youth Center

  • Published
  • By 509th Bomb Wing

 

**Editor's note: Update, March 28, 2020, 3 p.m.: Both facilities will remain closed until further notice to allow for thorough cleaning and public health assessments.**

Whiteman Air Force Base officials are temporarily closing the Youth Center and Child Development Center pending the results of a COVID-19 test for a CDC employee. Both facilities will be deep cleaned and sanitized while the test is underway and will remain closed until the test results are in.

These closures are a precautionary measure to protect Whiteman AFB from the transmission of COVID-19. At this time there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among members of the CDC staff or children. The CDC staff and Public Health will directly notify the parents of children who may have been in contact with the employee being tested. Regardless of contact, all parents should monitor their health and their children’s health and report any changes to the Whiteman AFB Public Health office.

While the base awaits the results and thoroughly cleans the CDC and YC facilities, the CDC will remain closed. When the facilities reopen, attendance will be restricted to the children of mission critical personnel who must be physically present at the installation to execute their duties.

The Public Health Emergency Officer visited the CDC on March 27 and met with staff to assess the situation. The 509th Medical Group Public Heath Office will closely monitor the situation and coordinate with the CDC and YC to ensure all affected parties are identified.

“The health of Team Whiteman’s families is critical,” said Col. Jeffrey Schreiner, 509th Bomb Wing commander. “We are taking these developments very seriously and have paused CDC and Youth Center operations to effectively and comprehensively clean the buildings. Our Medical Group is actively working with our outstanding Force Support teams to look out for our children and their parents.  As we receive the test results, we will make additional decisions regarding the CDC and our youth programs, so as to best provide for our community and our mission.”

Due to ongoing efforts to reduce manning in offices around base, CDC attendance had already declined and more Airmen are completing their duties from home in accordance with commander direction.

Whiteman AFB remains at Health Protection Condition CHARLIE. Additional measures and restrictions may be implemented in the future. Team Whiteman is taking continued collective action to mitigate further impacts to the base and community, and commanders are committed to keeping Team Whiteman healthy and informed.

Social distancing remains imperative. Personnel and their families should limit travel as much as possible; if you are feeling ill or note a change to your health, do not go to work or to public spaces--please call the local nurse advice line at 660-687-1537.  General COVID-19 questions can be directed to the 509th MDG hotline: 660-687-1545.

509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs will continue to provide families with up-to-date information about impacted activities and appropriate measures to prevent spread of the virus.

For the latest national information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Air Force Coronavirus websites at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and https://www.af.mil/News/Coronavirus-Disease-2019/. If local Team Whiteman personnel have questions regarding local policies, they should utilize their chain of command or contact 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs at 509bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.