WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Wright-Patterson Air Force Base transitioned to Health Protection Condition Alpha on April 18 as local community threat levels remain low.
Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, addressed the base in an email and video with the latest COVID-19 situation update.
Miller stated, the base will remains in a Public Health Emergency until May 31 in order to give commanders the ability to effectively and efficiently execute return to workplace procedures.
“This is great news! The switch to community levels is a fundamental shift in philosophy, focusing on disease severity rather than on volume of new cases, as community levels take into account hospital beds being used, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in the local area,” he said. “Although we saw a significant increase in transmissibility with the Omicron variant, the overall severity was less, largely due to vaccination rates and proven mitigating measures which set the stage for this change in approach.
“An added benefit to switching to community levels is now our mask wear and screening testing guidance will be aligned to HPCON levels too. Regardless of the HPCON level, though, individuals may still choose to wear a mask for a number of reasons.”
HPCON model in accordance with community levels
Low Community Level = HPCON Alpha
- Indoor mask-wear and screening testing not required
Medium Community Level = HPCON Bravo
- Indoor mask-wear not required, however, screening testing necessary for unvaccinated personnel to enter the workplace
High Community Level = HPCON Charlie
- Mask-wear for all and required screening testing for unvaccinated personnel to enter the workplace
High Community Level + substantial loss of medical capabilities in the local community = HPCON Delta
- Mask-wear for all and required screening testing for unvaccinated personnel to enter the workplace
Changes under HPCON A
Miller stated, under HPCON Alpha commanders are able to increase their work centers occupancy to less than 100% of their normal occupancy numbers. He emphasized that 100% is not a target, but a ceiling for mission requirements.
Continued measures
Proven mitigating preventative measures
The following measures have been proven to be effective in the fight against COVID: 1. Good hygiene, 2. Physical distancing whenever possible, 3. Staying home if sick, and 4. Getting tested and following isolation and quarantine procedures.
Mask Wear
According to updated Defense Department guidance, in-door mask wear is mandatory for all DOD health care facilities; however, in-door mask wear is optional when community risk is low or medium.
DOD Gathering Guidance
Gatherings are limited to 250 people without an Under Secretary of the Air Force Exception to Policy while in HPCON Alpha and Bravo.
Miller emphasized that the pandemic is not over. Team Wright-Patt has worked hard to get to this point. We need to continue to follow basic preventive measures and look out for each other.
If you have follow-up questions or concerns, email 88abw.pa@us.af.mil or call 937-522-3252.