Combat ship USS Milwaukee was held at port at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay after some crew members tested positive for COVID-19, the US Navy announced.
They said in the announcement that "the crew is 100% immunized" and some of those that tested positive were showing mild symptoms.
"The crew is 100% immunized and all COVID-19 positive Sailors are isolated on board and away from other crew members," the US Navy said. "A portion of those infected have exhibited mild symptoms. The vaccine continues to demonstrate effectiveness against serious illness."
It's unknown at this time which specific COVID-19 variant it is, but contact tracing and testing are being followed per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
"The ship is following an aggressive mitigation strategy in accordance with the Navy and CDC guidelines."
The USS Milwaukee departed on Dec. 14 for its regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations, and is at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay for a scheduled port visit.
Nearly 350,000 Navy sailors and more than 179,000 Marines were mandated by the military to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 28.
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Even with the outbreak, the crew managed to hold an open-air Christmas service on the pier on Saturday, a Navy spokeswoman said, where they were socially distanced and followed public health guidelines.
“They are using the open space and fresh air for as many safe activities as they can,” she said, adding the onboard chefs made a special Christmas meal for everyone.
The Milwaukee had more than 100 sailors plus a helicopter combat crew and Coast Guard law enforcement unit on board when it left its home port in Jacksonville, Fla., as part of a mission to fight drug trafficking. The ship made a refueling and resupply stop at Guantánamo Bay on Monday and extended its stay there because of the outbreak.