Task Force Contain: A Descriptive Analysis of Brigade Combat Team COVID-19 Operations.

BACKGROUND: In March 2020, a Fort Carson brigade combat team established Task Force (TF) Contain in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We offer a descriptive analysis of the TF Contain execution. METHODS: This study comprises a descriptive analysis of the design and execution of COVID-19 response by an infantry brigade combat team. Specific analyses include patient flow and mitigation measures; task organization; and definition of commander decision points as associated with separate lines of effort. RESULTS: TF Contain defined separate teams to address each component of the COVID-19 response, each assigned to subordinate battalions. Team Trace augmented the installation medical activity tracing interviews and data collection. Team Isolation provided lodging and life support; whereas, Team Transportation provided movement assets for soldiers requiring restriction of movement related to COVID-19. Team Clean executed disinfection operations at geographic locations determined to be associated with transmission events. Team Oversight enforced standards of mask wear and social distancing throughout the installation. Team Overflow analyzed installation infrastructure for contingency planning in the event more facilities became necessary for soldiers in isolation or quarantine. Finally, Team Testing augmented medical department activity (MEDDAC) medical manpower to staff providers and medics for support testing operations. CONCLUSIONS: Few personnel assigned to this organization had pre-existing experience or training related to infectious disease prevention or epidemiology. Nevertheless, this organization demonstrated the capacity of the military decision-making and operations processes to build robust procedures in response to public health threats.

A Descriptive Analysis of the Execution of the Expert Field Medical Badge Competition with Mitigation Measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: In September 2020, the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO, executed an Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) event, unique in its implementation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) mitigation measures. We conducted a descriptive analysis of our experience to inform future EFMB events. METHODS: We planned and resourced the EFMB competition in accordance with the Army Medical Department Center and School Pamphlet 350-10. We additionally defined adjustments to each event based upon the installation's COVID-19 Health Protection Condition (B, B+, or C) to set conditions for us to execute training regardless of shifts in the public health posture. We further implemented mitigation measures to include a 72-hour restriction of movement for all candidates and cadre prior to competition start, strict use of face coverings, and two daily temperature and symptom screenings. We recorded numbers of candidates and cadre withdrawing from the competition each day and the reasons for withdrawal. RESULTS: Of the 66 evaluators, 179 support personnel, and 113 candidates, 2 personnel withdrew for reasons related to COVID-19 mitigation measures. A single cadre member entered a quarantine for the development of a sore throat during the competition. One candidate withdrew after disclosing failure to comply with the 72-hour restriction of movement prior to competition start. Another candidate withdrew prior to start due to an injury sustained during land navigation. Of the remaining 111 candidates, 22 (20%) earned the EFMB. Most failures occurred due to the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT, 33) and land navigation (44). DISCUSSION: Our competition provides proof in principle that large-scale events to train individual skills such as EFMB are feasible in conjunction with COVID-19 public health measures. Our experience highlights the imperative of prior preparation of candidates in particular for the APFT and land navigation.