Ellsworth Air Force Base, just east of Rapid City in Box Elder, is among 9 U-S Air Force bases in the world that have been categorized as a “red” installation due to the rise of active COVID-19 cases in areas surrounding the bases.
The U-S Department of Defense says the red categorization means any civilian or service member must meet specific requirements or have an approved waiver to either leave the bases for another military installation or arrive for duty.
Pentagon officials won’t comment on the number of coronavirus cases actually on any bases.