More than 200 Americans who were evacuated from Wuhan, China landed in Southern California on Jan. 29 at March Air Force Base to be screened by health authorities. The Department of Defense released a statement saying they "stand ready to provide" support.
The DoD will provide housing for Health and Human Services as they work to handle the arrival of what is mostly Department of State employees and dependents.
"DoD has assessed this support will not negatively impact readiness or critical operations, and we stand ready for their arrival," the statement read.
DoD has also said its personnel will not be directly in contact with the evacuees and evacuees will not have access to any base location other than assigned housing.
The aircraft stopped in Anchorage, Alaska on its way to the continental United States to refuel — and so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could screen all those on board. Passengers also underwent two health screenings in China. Flight crew remained on the upper level of the plane for the entirety of the trip — including when the craft was in China — so as to isolate them entirely from the passengers.
“For many of us directly involved in this, it's become a moving and uplifting experience. The whole plane erupted into cheers when the crew welcomed them back to the United States," Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska's chief medical officer told the Associated Press.
Wuhan is the epicenter of the virus which has killed more than 100 people so far. Five cases of the disease have been reported stateside.
The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps released a statement advising against non-essential travel to Wuhan and certain prevention measures.
“Lacking specific treatment,” U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Dr. David Shih said. “We must be extra vigilant about basic prevention measures — frequent handwashing, effective cough and sneeze hygiene, avoiding sick individuals, and self-isolating when sick.”
There are 5 reported cases of coronavirus in the US — and 15 million flu cases
“This is the best possible outcome,” state health commissioner Adam Crum said in a statement. “We wish these passengers the best of luck as they complete their journeys home and I am deeply grateful to everyone who came together to assist us in helping with this repatriation effort.”
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