Federal officials at Camp Atterbury cleared up several rumors Wednesday during the first of what they say will be weekly updates on the situation at the Indiana National Guard base in southern Johnson County.
A total of 6,603 Afghan refugees are being housed at Atterbury as of Wednesday — more than the population of Edinburgh, which has nearly 4,800 people. Nearly 58% of the refugees are male, and 47.4% are under the age of 18.
More than 1,300 service members are also on base to help with Operation Allies Welcome, along with 69 government employees and 83 non-governmental volunteers, said Mark Howell, regional spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration and Operation Allies Welcome at Atterbury.
The 46,000-acre base can house up to 10,000 people. There are 82 lodging buildings and three community centers for those on base, as well as two guest dining facilities, Howell said.
Earlier this month, measles cases were reported in refugee populations in both Virginia and Wisconsin, leading to a temporary halt on in-bound refugee flights from Afghanistan, the Associated Press reported.
The flights were paused out of an abundance of caution and due to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, Howell said.
No measles cases were reported at Atterbury, but six cases were identified among the refugee population upon arrival to the United States, leading to them being isolated quickly.
Atterbury implemented a vaccine drive for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella out of an abundance of caution, and with the support of local hospitals, Howell said.
More than 11,600 vaccines had been given to refugees at Atterbury as of Tuesday, he said.
Atterbury is reporting 13 positive COVID-19 cases, as of Wednesday, Howell said. Those who tested positive are in isolation along with their family members.
Less than 1% of the refugees at Atterbury have received health care off base, Howell said. The Daily Journal learned last week that a few people were treated at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin.
As part of the intake process, there are several steps the refugees have to take, including interviews, vaccinations, biometrics and employment authorization. Once those steps are complete, they can start the resettlement process, Howell said.
More than 1,660 interviews have taken place since Tuesday, and 1,420 fingerprint and photograph sessions have taken place, he said.
Howell also addressed rumors about refugees “escaping” Atterbury.
“We do not have any escapees here at Camp Atterbury. I want to go ahead and say that flat out,” Howell said.
Twenty-five refugees have departed the camp. Most who left were American citizens, spouses of American citizens or green card holders who had already completed the above processes, including vaccinations, he said.
Atterbury officials also said they were pleased with the amount of donations Hoosiers have given to those at the camp through Team Rubicon and the American Red Cross. More than 262,000 items have been received.
Plans to offer education services to those under 18 are underway, but is still early in the process. Programs are being developed, Howell said.
The operation is federally funded and comes at no cost to Indiana taxpayers, Gov. Eric Holcomb said last month.
