“Soldiers (at RTI) get tested at Evans Army Community Hospital and (they) send them here for isolation purposes.”
— 1st Lt. Murray Shackelford
By Sgt. Gabrielle Weaver
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Brody Veyon, right, and Cpl. Brenden Willis, motor transport operators with India Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare to deliver food to isolated Soldiers May 6, 2020, at Fort Carson. Team Isolation ensures the needs of isolated Soldiers are met during their time in isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Sgt. Gabrielle Weaver)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, continue supporting isolated Soldiers diagnosed with COVID-19 as part of Team Isolation, May 6, 2020, at Fort Carson.
The team, created by Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, ensures isolated personnel are closely monitored and cared for at all times while at the Mountain Post’s Centennial Regional Training Center (RTI).
“Soldiers (at RTI) get tested at Evans Army Community Hospital and (they) send them here for isolation purposes,” said 1st Lt. Murray Shackelford, the officer in charge of an isolation team with Delta Company, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. “The Soldiers are isolated for 14 days if they tested positive or at least 72 hours from the passing of their symptoms.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Brody Veyon, a motor transport operator with India Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, dons personal protective equipment before delivering meals to isolated Soldiers at the Centennial Regional Training Institute May 6, 2020, at Fort Carson, Colorado. Team Isolation ensures the needs of isolated Soldiers are met during their time in isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Sgt. Gabrielle Weaver)
Soldiers reporting to isolation are in-processed, counseled on their requirements while in isolation and given any items they may need such as toiletries, linens and snacks.
“We explain to them that they are under isolation,” said Staff Sgt. Rafael Lopez, team noncommissioned officer at RTI, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. “They will stay here until they are cleared by their physician assistant.”
The Soldiers who make up Team Isolation are comprised of four teams to cover day and night shifts.
“We will come in and do a hand over with the night shift,” Shackelford said.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Cpl. Brenden Willis, a motor transport operator with India Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, delivers food to an isolated Soldier May 6, 2020, at Fort Carson. Team Isolation ensures the needs of isolated Soldiers are met during their time in isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Sgt. Gabrielle Weaver)
To deliver meals to isolated Soldiers, the team members don gloves, a chemical suit and a powered air purifying respirator which covers their whole face while circulating filtered air into the mask. The fresh meals are dropped off at the isolated Soldier’s barracks door to avoid contact.
“They wear it for extra pre-cautionary measures,” Shackelford said.
Within the teams, there is also a combat medic to monitor the recovery progress of isolated Soldiers during each shift.
“I call the patients every day to check on them and make sure they are alright,” said Spc. Colton McClendon, a combat medic with HHC, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. at RTI. “I will go to their building and check their vitals twice a day.”
Team Isolation continues to provide support to Soldiers in isolation in an effort to keep COVID-19 contained.
“They’re doing great work,” Shackelford said.