Ventura County Public Health and CDC address Coronavirus quarantine station at Naval Base
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. -- Ventura County Public Health and the CDC held a press conference to address the quarantine station at the Ventura County Naval Base Point Mugu on Wednesday afternoon.
Currently, there is only one patient at the Naval Base.
Dr. Robert McDonald, a Medical Officer from the CDC said that the traveler is from out of state who visited China arrived on Sunday from the Los Angeles International Airport.
He says the traveler has no sign of illness or symptoms but is now under federal quarantine order at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu.
The traveler's health will be monitored daily. It includes daily temperature checks and observation for respiratory systems.
Another 15 Coronavirus patients are under voluntary quarantine in their homes around the county. None of those under observation have shown symptoms. Officials say the quarantine location is just a precaution aimed at preventing the virus from spreading further.
Dr. Robert Levin of Ventura County Public Health says locals should not be on high alert. He also says that they do not have any cases identified as having the disease currently.
Dr. Levin assures the public saying that if one of the individuals did develop symptoms they would be sent to the nearest hospital for isolation.
Dr. Levin says Ventura County Public Health is working with the hospitals in the county and assures that the hospitals are very capable of handling such patients.
As for the travelers in custody, if they are healthy after 14 days, they will be able to return home.
The Naval Base is equipped to take in 20 travelers at a time but does not believe it will get to that point.
Dr. Levin says he wouldn't be surprised if there aren't any more travelers sent to the base.
Regarding the community's worries, Dr. Levin gave the following statement during the press conference:
“For those who ask ‘Aren’t we endangering Ventura County by housing these people?’ I ask by taking these precautions aren’t we protecting Ventura County? And further what if this were you or your loved ones who needed quarantine? Isn’t this a test of our humanity?”
Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Public Health
To read about the one patient in quarantine at the Naval Base, click here.
