Passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship have begun to arrive at a San Diego Marine base to begin a 14-day quarantine.
The first group consisting of between 50-60 people arrived at MCAS Miramar just before 10 p.m. Tuesday . During their two week quarantine, they will be monitored and checked for possible symptoms of the coronavirus. All passengers were screened after the cruise ship arrived at the Port of Oakland on Monday and none showed any symptoms, County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten said, adding that about 400 more passengers were expected to arrive at Miramar on Wednesday.
In a statement, MCAS Miramar Commanding Officer Col. Charles Dockery said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is leading the local quarantine effort on the base.
"As with the previous mission, all passengers entering quarantine will have been deemed asymptomatic by health care professionals. Passengers will remain quarantined throughout the 14-day period and there will be no contact with DOD personnel. Finally, any person that tests positive for COVID-19 will be transferred off-station," Col. Dockery's statement read.
County Health Officials Monitoring People
San Diego is currently monitoring 73 travelers from China and Iran for coronavirus symptoms, according to the county. Since Feb. 6, 448 travelers have been monitored, with 375 travelers clearing their quarantine period. County health officials say that as of Tuesday, 11 non-travel related individuals in San Diego County were being monitored: Nine who had contact with an Orange County resident who works at an AT&T store in Chula Vista and two people who had contact with a travel-related coronavirus patient who lives in San Diego County.
That person, a woman in her 50s, tested positive for the coronavirus following an international trip she had been on. County health officials say she was at the hospital for another reason before she was discharged and felt ill again and is currently being treated at Scripps Green Hospital and is currently doing well. The number of healthcare workers who had contact with the woman are in self-isolation and being monitored.
(Photo credit of cruise ship passengers, Getty Images)
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