This week, several planes carrying passengers from Wuhan, China will arrive in three states. These locations are Travis Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, CA, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, and Eppley Airfield in Omaha, NE. These planes will be met by a team of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) personnel deployed there to assess the health of the passengers.
The passengers have been screened, monitored and evaluated by medical and public health personnel every step of the way, including before takeoff and during the flight. The CDC staff will conduct risk assessments to ensure the health of each traveler, including temperature checks and observing for respiratory symptoms. These passengers will be issued quarantine orders upon arrival at their designated quarantine location. This legal order is intended to protect the travelers, their families, and the community. This quarantine order will begin on the day the flight left Wuhan and will continue for up to 14 days. Medical care will be readily available at the first onset of symptoms, if needed.
The CDC will work with the state and local public health departments to transport any passenger exhibiting symptoms to a hospital for further evaluation. The CDC continue to believe the immediate risk of coronavirus exposure to the general public is low, however, they are undertaking these measures to help keep that risk low. The CDC is taking these measures to fully assess and care for these passengers to protect them, their loved ones, and their communities.
