3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s news release didn’t identify the five Marines, citing the military’s policy of waiting 24 hours after notifying next of kin. It was an "isolated incident and there was no threat to other Marines or the public,” a Marine spokeswoman said. Individual hospitals may consider mask mandates if they see a surge in COVID-19 cases locally. Lance Cpl. Nicholas Maurice Dural, 20, of Lafayette, Louisiana, had been serving at the U.S. embassy in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, since April. The summer was a particularly difficult time for the Marine Corps in terms of both on- and off-duty accidents. Lance Cpl. Joseph Whaley was killed by "negligent discharge during live-fire small arms training exercise,” according to the Naval Safety Command. Virus infection cases within the VA health care system are up more than 200% in the last two months. Lance Cpl. Joseph D. Whaley died Thursday during nighttime live-fire training. A Marine training at School of Infantry-West died Thursday during “a night live-fire training event," according to the Marine Corps. Active cases among VA patients have nearly tripled in the last month. Load More