US chief warns military is ready despite virus

General Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs, in remarks to a Pentagon town hall meeting stressed that amid the coronavirus outbreak, "no one should doubt the readiness of the U.S. military to respond and defend the American people, if required."

Milley said that despite the outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, it could be put back to sea and returned to duty relatively quickly if required by world events.

"I want to make sure that everyone clearly understands the readiness of the US military is still strong," Milley said. "We're still capable and we are still ready, no matter what the threat."

Pentagon leaders anticipate that the coronavirus may strike more Navy ships at sea after an outbreak aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific infected more than 400 sailors

Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said one member of the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt was hospitalized Thursday in intensive care on Guam, where the carrier has been docked for more than a week. He said 416 crew members are now infected and that 1,164 test results are pending.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

(Image Credit: AP)