Coronavirus Update: Texas Cruise Ship Passengers Will Be Released
UPDATE: KSAT-TV reports that over 120 of the Diamond Princess passengers who were under quarantine at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio were released around 1PM Tuesday afternoon. Many who developed symptoms while in quarantine are being kept until thorough testing indicates they are no longer infected with COVID-19.
Several passengers from the Diamond Princess Cruise ship who've been under quarantine in Texas will be released to go home on Tuesday.
According to a press release from the city of San Antonio, approximately 120 passengers have been cleared to leave quarantine at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
Originally, these passengers were set to be released on Monday, but the city of San Antonio requested further releases be re-scheduled after the CDC mistakenly released a passenger who was positive for the Coronavirus.
The CDC has since changed its release protocol, and now only passengers who have been symptom free for 14 days will be released.
Further changes are as follows:
- A previously symptomatic quarantine individual will only be released if that person has two sequential negative tests within 24 hours.
- No person will be released if there are any pending test results.
Those being released will take arranged buses to the airport in shifts based on their flight times. There are also Texas residents who have requested rental vehicles, which will also be arranged at the airport.
Assistant City Manager Colleen Bridger has stated, "“The risk to the general public remains low. I want to remind the community that these are individuals who showed no symptoms over the course of the 14-day quarantine. We owe it to our fellow Americans not to stigmatize them and allow them to go back to their homes and families.”
Here are some additional tips and tricks to avoid contracting Coronavirus:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.