# The International Transfer of Patients With Positive SARS-CoV-2 Test Using a Framework

## TL;DR

This paper describes a new framework for safely transferring U.S. Navy patients with SARS-CoV-2 to Japanese hospitals during the pandemic.

## Contribution

The paper presents the first reported framework for international transfer of patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test.

## Key findings

- A new framework involving the Public Health Center enabled safe international transfers of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients.
- Two successful international transfer cases of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients are reported with favorable outcomes.
- The framework can guide future international transfers requiring infectious disease surveillance.

## Abstract

The Japanese Fellowship Program at the U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka has served as a liaison with Japanese hospitals during the transfer of acutely ill U.S. Navy patients since 1952. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has complicated this process and prompted the creation of a new framework that involves the Public Health Center. We present two international transfer cases of patients with positive SARS-CoV-2. The creation of a framework enabled a safe and smooth transfer process of patients with a favorable outcome. This report can help guide future cases of international transfer, especially for patients who need infectious disease surveillance. To our knowledge, we describe the first report of an international transfer of patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 test using a framework.