Quarantine ends for first group of coronavirus evacuees at JBSA-Lackland

UPDATE 1:00 p.m.:

The one patient who tested positive for COVID-19 has been treated and transferred from Methodist Hospital Texsan Thursday.

Methodist Healthcare would not say what was next for the patient, citing confidentially laws.  However, it did applaud its staff for its dedication and work on treating this patient.

ORIGINAL:

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — Evacuees  from the hotbed of the coronavirus in China who were brought to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland are no longer under quarantine.

“Today, 90 people recently returned from Wuhan, China, via State Department-charted flight completed their 14-day quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland,” said Kate Grusich, spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One person who arrived at Lackland February 7 is confirmed to have COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.   That individual was taken to Methodist Hospital Texsan in Balcones Heights.  All of the other individuals who came from Wuhan have been medically cleared and CDC officials have lifted their quarantine orders.

“It is important to know that these people being released from quarantine pose no health risk to the surrounding community, or to the communities they will be returning to,” said Grusich.”CDC extends its thanks to these individuals for their cooperation and patience during their quarantine and wish them well as they return to home, work, and school.”

She also thanked the men and women at Lackland and their families for “their graciousness while hosting these guests.”

A second group of 144 passengers quarantined on a Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan arrived Monday at Lackland.  They remain under quarantine at a hotel on the military installation.

The Texas Center for Infectious Disease in the South Side, which treats tuberculosis patients, also is being used in the  coronavirus response.

 

PREVIOUS STORY

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – The 14-day quarantine for the first group of evacuees from China brought to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is over.

Individuals could be released today if they’re not showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, but federal officials have not provided information on how or when they’ll be let go.

Ninety-one evacuees from Wuhan, China arrived at Lackland February 7, and they’ve been at a hotel on base with federal marshals guarding the perimeter of the quarantine area. At least one individual was diagnosed with the coronavirus and taken to Methodist Hospital Texsan in Balcones Heights.

A second group of 144 passengers quarantined on a cruise ship in Japan arrived Monday at Lackland.

The Texas Center for Infectious Disease in the South Side , which treats tuberculosis patients, also is being used in the coronavirus response.