CDC Confirms Coronavirus Aboard Diamond Princess Cruise Evacuees

From the City of San Antonio:

February 22, 2020

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) today confirmed two cases of COVID-19 infections (2019-nCoV, previously known as novel coronavirus) among the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship Federal evacuees that are currently under federal quarantine order at Lackland Air Force Base. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Bexar County to three.

The CDC expects additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 from within the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship cohort and will share information with the public as appropriate. Additional information about the number of U.S. cases is available at this website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html

The patients have continued to be kept in maximum level isolation from the general public and the rest of the evacuees. At this time, the risk to the public remains low. Although few cases have been confirmed amongst these quarantined evacuees, the City of San Antonio continues to implement its existing plans with its federal, state and regional partners.

“Our residents should know that the federally ordered quarantine is functioning as it should. Those evacuees, who are in quarantine on Lackland Air Force Base, who test positive for COVID-19 remain in isolation from the general public and other evacuees,” said Metro Health Director Dr. Dawn Emerick.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has supported the effort with use of their state-owned Texas Center for Infectious Disease (TCID) hospital to treat patients with symptoms of COVID-19. This facility specializes in infectious disease control and treatment.

About the Federal Evacuees & Repatriation Effort from the Diamond Princess cruise ship:

An estimated 400 United States citizens onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship were evacuated and flown back to the United States on two separate planes chartered by the State Department—one plane landed at Travis AFB in California and the other carrying 151 passengers landed at Lackland AFB just before 4:00 a.m. on February 17, 2019.

Of those passengers, 144 asymptomatic citizens disembarked from the aircraft, were assessed and transported to Lackland Air Force Base, in a separate housing area from the previous cohort of travelers who arrived on February 7.

For the latest information on the outbreak, visit CDC’s COVID-2019 website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel-coronavirus-2019.html

Information for the Public:
Metro Health continues to maintain an up-to-date website which will provide current updates to anyone seeking information on the situation: www.sanantonio.gov/health/2019ncoronavirus.

Information regarding the Novel Coronavirus is also available in American Sign Language at this link: http://sat.ahasalerts.com/Acti...

How do people become infected with Coronavirus?
Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

• Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and

What are the symptoms?
Patients with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

How can I avoid infection with Novel Coronavirus?
The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu. CDC always recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• 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.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.