Texas Hospitality Supports COVID-19 Evacuees

The Texas leaders responsible for the protection from the novel coronavirus disease conducted a briefing on February 17, 2020, near San Antonio, Texas.

During this briefing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the City of San Antonio said 'they are working together supporting Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), as more Americans arrive at Lackland Air Force Base, to begin a required quarantine period.'

This new group of travelers was placed in a separate location from travelers who arrived last week. 

The new arrivals who do not display symptoms of a SARS-CoV-2 infection or the COVID-19 disease will remain under federal quarantine for 14 days.

Passengers that may have developed symptoms during their flight to Texas and those who tested positive for COVID-19 have been transported to an appropriate location for continued isolation and care, outside of San Antonio.

“Our extensive coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC, JBSA and our other partners has gone according to plan,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, during this briefing posted on Facebook.

“As of today, the risk to the general public of contracting COVID-19 disease continues to remain low."

"Every precaution has been taken to keep the public isolated from these travelers who are in a precautionary quarantine and any travelers who have shown symptoms of the virus."

"Our residents should continue to go about their lives,” said Mayor Nirenberg.

At this time, the CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

In addition, Texas state health officials have been preparing to accommodate more coronavirus patients in San Antonio.

Lauren Caruba, an Express-News reporter, wrote that the Director of Media Relations for Texas DSHS, Chris Van Deusen, said the Texas Center for Infectious Disease, a 75-bed state-run hospital located near Brooks City Base, is ready to receive patients there if necessary. 

The Brooks City Base is located in southeastern San Antonio and is a mixed-use development that was founded on the former Brooks Air Force Base when the United States Air Force closed the facility in 2002.

Van Deusen said it would be appropriate for isolating individuals suspected of having coronavirus and those who may have received a diagnosis, but do not have severe symptoms.

As of February 18, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any preventive vaccines or medicines to treat the COVID-19 disease.

Until vaccines and medications become available, the best way to prevent a SARS-CoV-2 infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu. 

The CDC recommends that people wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak news is published by Coronavirus Today.