Pentagon announces first death from COVID-19

Our thoughts are with this contractor's friends and family.

The Defense Department announced on Sunday that a contractor has died after testing positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

  • The man — a Crystal City, Virginia-based contractor with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency — passed away on Saturday, per the DoD release. 
  • It is the first death reported among DoD cases.
  • The contractor was “under medical treatment at a local hospital” since testing positive for the virus.
  • Per DoD, his workspace at DSCA was cleaned when he tested positive, and his coworkers have been teleworking. 
  • “Our condolences go out to his family, friends and co-workers and we thank the medical professionals who worked to save his life in the face of this virus,” the release says. 

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Haley Britzky Avatar

Haley Britzky

Former Army Reporter

Haley Britzky was the Task & Purpose Army reporter from 2019 to 2022. She previously worked at Axios covering breaking news. She reports on important developments within the service, from new uniforms to new policies; the realities of military life facing soldiers and their families; and broader cultural issues that expand outside of the Army, touching each of the military services. 


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