Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images Nearly a month before community spread was first detected, "sustained, community transmission" of the coronavirus in the United States began in late January or early February, a report from the CDC says. A "single importation" from China was followed by "several importations" from Europe, the study's authors found. "As America begins to reopen, looking back at how COVID-19 made its way to the United States will contribute to a better understanding to prepare for the future," said CDC Director Robert Redfield. Wochit

During a two-day period, 500 soldiers and trainees at Fort Leonard Wood were tested for COVID-19. Of those, 70 had positive results, according to a news release.

The soldiers and trainees were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment.

"Due to the aggressive mitigation strategies in place, the number of infected and exposed individuals has been minimized to the greatest extent possible, and contained within one training unit," the release said. "Affected individuals have been isolated or quarantined as appropriate and in accordance with CDC guidelines. In addition, all impacted buildings, dining facilities and training areas within the unit area have been sanitized in accordance with CDC guidelines."

Upon arrival to Fort Leonard Wood, all 500 soldiers and trainees were medically screened and tested by health professionals at the beginning of their 14-day controlled monitoring phase of basic combat training and all test results at that time were negative, the release said.

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Four days after the end of the groups controlled monitoring phase, a trainee reported to Harper In-processing Health Screening Facility with symptoms, and immediately, all 500 were tested again, resulting in the increased positive test results, the release said.

According to the release, all those who tested positive are being cared for and monitored according to CDC guidelines and have been isolated to prevent the potential spread to others. Most of those who tested positive are asymptomatic and none have been hospitalized.

"Contact tracing continues to be performed and aggressive measures are continuing to be used to ensure that further spread of COVID-19 is minimized," the release said. "Fort Leonard Wood continues the strict enforcement of social distancing and the wearing of cloth face coverings to mitigate the spread of the virus."

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"Our people military, civilians and families and their health, welfare and safety are our highest priority. We continue to assess, refine and coordinate prevention and response efforts on post and in the local area to ensure the well-being of our personnel and local population," the release said. "Fort Leonard Wood leadership remain in close coordination with local and state public health authorities and have assessed that the local communities are not at an increased risk."

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70 soldiers and trainees at Fort Leonard Wood test positive for COVID-19 - News-Leader