WICHITA COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — Sheppard Air Force Base announced Wednesday, in a briefing on Facebook, that Sheppard Air Force Base has its first case of travel-related COVID-19.

Base officials are commending the patient for apparently taking the right precautions.

The case is travel-related and the airman who tested positive lives off base.

82nd Training Wing and Installation Commander, Col. Kenyon Bell is reassuring Sheppard AFB folks, he said the airman took the right measures that could make the risk of spread much lower.

The patient is an 80th Flying Training Wing airman who traveled to Las Vegas before DOD travel restrictions were put in place.

“Returned by air to Dallas/ Fort Worth airport, the member then traveled directly home with his family and contacted the chain of command prior going into work or anywhere else,” 80th Flying Training Wing Commander Col. Russell Driggers said.

Unit leadership then directed the person to stay home and quarantine with family.

Earlier this week, the person began having mild symptoms and decided to call the base clinic.

The patient was later tested and confirmed for COVID-19.

“The good news here is that everyone involved did the right thing, because of that our medical experts believe the risk of further spread from this case is low, that’s a reminder, a stark reminder, for all of us to follow the proper protocols,” Col. Bell said.

Protocols such as staying home when sick and calling chain of command. As well as calling ahead to the base clinic if one has symptoms. Most importantly, follow guidelines if asked to quarantine.

“Do your part at home to help out so we can all do this together, team keep sending your suggestions and concerns up the chain of command, we’re gonna get through this, as long as we stick together and follow the guidelines and lean together by staying apart, we’re gonna make operation kick COVID a success,” Col. Driggers said.

Col. Bell now has a request of Sheppard airmen.

“We need to increase our focus even more on the fundamentals, you hear it a lot and you’re going to keep hearing it because it’s important,” Col. Bell said. “This is a bold, active time for us and our front-line leadership for us to be out and about actively doing that thing called leadership, we’re counting on you.”

The first case for an airman at SAFB, with officials hoping the right measures equal no spread.

The airman remains in quarantine with their family.

If you have questions and concerns regarding COVID-19 in Wichita County, residents can call the Health District hotline at the number listed below:

Hotline hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Health District would like to remind everyone that coronavirus is now in our community and that the decisions we make now regarding social distancing and following the guidelines set by the CDC will directly impact how quickly our community recovers from this virus.

As always, you can keep up with the latest information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic by visiting the Coronavirus section of our website.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texoma’s Homepage for the latest information.