More than 120 passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship were set to be released from quarantine Tuesday in San Antonio, a day after city leaders declared a public health emergency and sought to delay the process so more patient testing could be done.
Leaders in San Antonio wanted additional assurances that none of the patients were positive for the new coronavirus after a woman was mistakenly released from quarantine over the weekend, despite a positive test for the illness.
On Tuesday, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said only passengers who were symptom-free for the entire 14-day quarantine period would be released Tuesday. He also said no one would be released if test results were pending.
The passengers will be taken by bus from Lackland Air Force Base directly to the airport in shifts Tuesday, Nirenberg said.
"I'm pleased that the CDC has made changes, and I'm comfortable that the plan as presented will minimize the risk of exposure," the mayor said in a statement. "The release will be coordinated, not prolonged over several days, and passengers will not stay in local hotels and will go directly to the airport."
The patient who was released over the weekend visited a local mall and airport before she was brought back into isolation once the positive test was discovered, city officials said. There have not been any known cases of the illness being transmitted in the community, Nirenberg said.
How to Avoid COVID-19 Infection:
The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are 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.
*Information shared from the Office of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
