Base moves HPCON level to Bravo

  • Published
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR BASE WING, Ohio -- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base transitioned to Health Protection Condition level Bravo on July 3 in response to steadily rising cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations in surrounding counties. The base will not enact a public health emergency at this time and mask wear is still optional.

Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, addressed personnel with the latest COVID-19 situation update.

In the previous week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention again assessed WPAFB’s two governing counties (Montgomery and Greene) as medium, prompting the change from HPCON Alpha to Bravo.

“Today’s HPCON Bravo looks a bit different than previous stints,” he said. “As we make the transition this go-around, the two biggest operational changes are 80 percent facility occupancy and mandatory screening testing for unvaccinated personnel. As we make the change to HPCON Bravo, I ask for your help to protect each other and our respective missions.”

As Wright-Patt works through this latest wave of COVID-19 rates, Miller urged base employees to keep the following in mind:

  • Know the rules about when to isolate (member is sick or COVID positive) and quarantine (member is a close contact). You can read the guidance at https://www.wpafb.af.mil/.../Isolation%20vs%20Quarantine.pdf.
  • Wright-Patterson Medical Center has booster shots available to all eligible beneficiaries. Although not mandatory, having a booster shot eliminates the need to quarantine at home for five days if identified as a “close contact.”
  • Wear a mask for 10 days if you test positive or are a close contact. 
  • Practice good hygiene and physical distancing.
  • If you are sick, stay home and get tested.

“Teammates…the fight clearly is still on,” Miller said. “Together, we can ride this current wave and break through the other side stronger. Believe me, transitioning the base to HPCON Bravo is the last thing I wanted to do prior to our change of command, but I had to make the tough call based on our current conditions. Although HPCON Bravo doesn’t change much in the way of installation operations, it should heighten awareness amongst the team.”

Stay tuned for more updates as WPAFB’s Public Health team closely monitors the local area or visit the COVID-19 website for more information: www.wpafb.af.mil/coronavirus.

If you have follow-up questions or concerns, email 88abw.pa@us.af.mil or call 937-522-3252.