After the coronavirus was detected in more than 70 crews of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Captain Brett Crozier wrote to the Pacific Fleet on the issue and asked for the evacuation of the crew. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper's statements on the issue made a public impression. Esper stated that the situation is not serious enough to require the evacuation of the staff at the moment.

Speaking at a press conference at the White House, Naval Operations Commander Admiral Michael Gilday said: “By Friday, more than 2,700 personnel will be evacuated from the ship.”

About 1,000 sailors had been removed from the ship, Navy officials said.