Maxwell-Gunter Public Health Emergency Extended Published July 27, 2020 Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Col. Patrick Carley, 42nd Air Base Wing commander, extended the Public Health Emergency for Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex. Maxwell-Gunter remains at Health Protection Condition Charlie (HPCON-C) per alignment with DoD guidelines and local evaluations. Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense guidance directs that installation commanders review the public health situation every 90 days after declaring a public health emergency. “Col Carley’s decision takes into consideration the current COVID situation in our community. Similarly to what we are seeing across the Southeastern US, local cases continue to increase, hospitalizations are on the rise, and local healthcare systems are showing strain and decreased capacity,” said Maj. Ricardo Sequeira, 42nd ABW Public Health Emergency Officer. “It is important for our community to continue to do what they can to stop the spread by practicing social distancing and diligently wearing masks while around others outside of their household.” Additionally on July 15, 2020, Governor Kay Ivey added a mask requirement to the current “Safer at Home” health order, mandating the use of face coverings in public places. The CDC has identified symptoms of COVID-19 that include cough, shortness of breath, fever, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle pain and a new loss of taste and/or smell. If you have any of these symptoms, please call the Medical Group at (334) 953-3368 for further steps to take. For all other updates, check the Maxwell Facebook page and website for the most current information.