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14 Asymptomatic American Evacuees From Diamond Princess Are COVID Positive


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  • niman changed the title to 14 Asymptomatic American Evacuees From Diamond Princess Are COVID Positive

Coronavirus Updates: Evacuated Americans Carried Virus From Cruise Ship to Airplane

Fourteen passengers, who were believed to be well before they were evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan on Monday, were found to be infected while boarding a charter plane to the United States.

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READ UPDATES IN CHINESE: 新冠病毒疫情最新消息汇总

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Fourteen Americans who were evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan on Monday were placed in segregated areas of a chartered flight after they were found to have the new coronavirus shortly before boarding the plane to the United States, American officials said.

The passengers were among more than 300 Americans aboard a cruise ship that was been quarantined in Yokohama for more than 10 days. United States officials initially said they would not allow infected people to board the evacuation flights, but appeared to reverse that decision early Monday.

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14 test positive among US plane evacuees from Japan coronavirus ship: State Dept

 

A chartered evacuation aircraft waiting for US passengers who have chosen to leave the Diamond Princess, at Haneda Airport, on Feb 17, 2020.A chartered evacuation aircraft waiting for US passengers who have chosen to leave the Diamond Princess, at Haneda Airport, on Feb 17, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERS

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Fourteen people who had tested positive for the new coronavirus were among the more than 300 US citizens and family members evacuated by plane from a quarantined ship in Japan, the US State Department said on Monday (Feb 17).

The passengers had already disembarked from the Diamond Princess and were preparing to return to the United States on chartered aircraft when US officials were informed 14 of them who had been tested days earlier were positive for Covid-19 disease, it said in a joint statement with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

After consultation with HHS, the State Department decided to allow them onboard, but isolated them from the other passengers.

"These individuals were moved in the most expeditious and safe manner to a specialised containment area on the evacuation aircraft to isolate them in accordance with standard protocols," it said.

"During the flights, these individuals will continue to be isolated from the other passengers."

 All passengers were being closely monitored throughout the flights.

 
 

“Any who become symptomatic will be moved to the specialised containment area, where they will be treated,” the statement said.

 

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The first flight is due to land shortly at a US Air Force base in California, where all passengers will undergo 14 days' quarantine, while a second plane is heading to another base in San Antonio, Texas.

More than 600 people are already in quarantine in the US, evacuated earlier from the virus epicentre in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/14-test-positive-among-us-plane-evacuees-from-japan-coronavirus-ship-state-dept

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Joint Statement by U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Repatriation of American Passengers from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship

MEDIA NOTE

OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON

FEBRUARY 17, 2020

 
 

On February 16, the U.S. State Department facilitated the voluntary repatriation of over 300 U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who had been passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.  Passengers were evaluated by medical personnel from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and all were deemed asymptomatic and fit to fly before being processed for evacuation.

During the evacuation process, after passengers had disembarked the ship and initiated transport to the airport, U.S. officials received notice that 14 passengers, who had been tested 2-3 days earlier, had tested positive for COVID-19.  These individuals were moved in the most expeditious and safe manner to a specialized containment area on the evacuation aircraft to isolate them in accordance with standard protocols.  After consultation with HHS officials, including experts from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the State Department made the decision to allow the 14 individuals, who were in isolation, separated from other passengers, and continued to be asymptomatic, to remain on the aircraft to complete the evacuation process.  During the flights, these individuals will continue to be isolated from the other passengers. These flights departed Japan at approximately 4:30 PM Eastern time on February 16 and will arrive in the United States later this morning.  All passengers are being closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the flight, and any who become symptomatic will be moved to the specialized containment area, where they will be treated.

Upon landing in the United States, passengers will deplane at either Travis AFB or Joint Base San Antonio and will remain under quarantine for 14 days. Passengers that develop symptoms in flight and those with positive test results will remain isolated on the flights and will be transported to an appropriate location for continued isolation and care.

Every precaution to ensure proper isolation and community protection measures are being taken, driven by the most up-to-date risk assessments by U.S. health authorities.  We continue all possible efforts to protect the welfare of U.S. citizens.  We encourage U.S. citizens considering international travel to continue to review State Department Travel Advisories at Travel.State.gov, and to closely monitor and follow the guidance of the CDC and local health authorities.

https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-by-u-s-department-of-state-and-u-s-department-of-health-and-human-services-on-repatriation-of-american-passengers-from-the-diamond-princess-cruise-ship/

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