The U.S. Forces Korea went on high alert for coronavirus on Monday after a USFK dependent recently tested positive for the virus.

The USFK on Monday said the wife of a retired soldier living in Daegu has "tested positive for COVID-19. The patient, a 61-year old female, visited Camp Walker's Post Exchange" twice in February.

The USFK has already limited temporary-duty travel and assignments to Camp Walker in Daegu, and the school on the base was closed on Feb. 20.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised the travel advisory for Korea to the highest level on Monday, recommending that Americans "avoid all nonessential travel" to Korea.

The CDC "recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to [Korea]. There is a widespread, ongoing outbreak of... coronavirus that can be spread from person to person," it said. "There is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas."

