Soldiers Called in to Replace over 1,000 Sick Security Staff Members

Soldiers Called in to Replace over 1,000 Sick Security Staff Members

Soldiers have taken on the work of guarding Pyeongchang's ice area ahead of the Winter Olympics' Opening Ceremony.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Feb 07, 2018

Over 1,000 private security guards at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea have been taken to the hospital with norovirus, prompting organizers to call in soldiers as guards instead.

On Sunday dozens off guards began to report symptoms of norovirus and since then nearly 1,200 guards have been withdrawn from Olympic sites to be quarantined until tested for the illness. Lee Hee-beom, chairman of the Games' organizing committee said that the private security staff will be sequestered until declared well.

At least 41 of the officers have tested positive for norovirus, which is a contagious virus that causes stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea. The most effective way to stop the spread of the virus is to practice good hand-washing and personal hygiene.

The Pyeongchang Games are due to start Friday South Korea with the Opening Ceremony. The 900 soldiers brought in to cover the sequestered security staff are going to be concentrated around the ice arena where the Opening Ceremony is to take place.

 

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • From the Most Visible to the Less Apparent

    The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) states “There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, and national public health or safety or any combination thereof.” Read Now

  • Work Anywhere, Secure Everywhere: 2025 Tech Predictions

    Five years after the pandemic, organizations need a flexible work reset to stay productive and support any work arrangement. Despite the pandemic-fueled workplace shift that began five years ago, companies across industries and geographies continue to increase flexible work configurations. However, many tools adopted during COVID onset remain in place today, and they now need a reset to keep employees productive and secure regardless of location. Security leaders must re-evaluate existing practices and reinvest in zero trust security, passwordless environments, and automation adoption to improve efficiency and productivity. Read Now

  • Guiding Principles

    Construction sites represent a unique sector of perimeter security, especially amidst a steady increase in commercial construction. As in any security environment, assessing weaknesses and threats remains paramount and modern technology, coupled with sound access control principles, are critical in addressing vulnerabilities at even the most secure construction sites around the world. Read Now

  • Empowering 911

    In the wake of the tragic murder of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson, media coverage flooded the airwaves with images, videos and detailed timelines of the suspect’s movements. While such post-incident analysis is not new, today’s 911 centers now have access to similar data in real-time. This technological evolution marks a pivotal transformation in emergency response, transitioning from analog calls to a digital ecosystem capable of saving more lives. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.