NORFOLK, Va. - A Sailor assigned to the Norfolk-based USS Wasp (LHD-1) died on Feb. 12, 2021 due to COVID-related complications, and he's been identified as Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class Marcglenn L. Orcullo, age 42 of Hawaii.
He was a U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.
According to the Navy,the Sailor was hospitalized on Jan. 17 at Sentara Princess Anne hospital in Virginia Beach and was then transferred to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital on Jan. 29.
“We offer our condolences and join the Sailor’s family, friends and shipmates in mourning the loss of this Sailor. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time,” the Navy said in a statement.
News of the Sailor's death comes after the Navy announced Friday that every Sailor in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group who wants a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to get one before their upcoming deployment. The first doses will reportedly be administered Saturday while the ships are in port at Naval Station Norfolk.
According to U.S. Naval Institute News, this was the fourth active-duty Sailor who has died of COVID-19 complications.
According to a Feb. 10 update from the Navy, the news outlet reports 49 Navy civilians, 21 Navy contractors and one dependent have also died from the virus. A total of 52,312 COVID-19 cases have been reported, with 30,998 of those being military personnel.
That week, USNI reported there are 4,720 active cases across military, civilian, contractor and dependent personnel, with 10 military personnel hospitalized as of Feb. 10.
The Sailor's name was being withheld until after their next of kin was notified.
USS Wasp crewmembers are supported by chaplains, embedded mental health specialists, and counselors.
