Joint Base To Be Used As Quarantine Camp For Coronavirus Pandemic

Photo courtesy The Joint Base

  OCEAN COUNTY – The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst military base has been selected as a designated emergency camp to quarantine any individual who could possibly have the coronavirus. In the case where all local health care facilities become full, the base was chosen as a backup complex.

  According to the Pentagon, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asked U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper to select bases near 11 major airports that could house additional passengers.

  With the Joint Base being about 60 miles away from Newark Liberty International Airport and less than 50 miles from Philadelphia International Airport, it was a strong pick.

  This extra housing can hold up to 20 people that need to undergo any observation. The base will also assist the Health and Human Services personnel with additional office space and room for equipment.

  Any passengers from Newark airport that are suspected of exposure will be housed at the Joint Base for up to 14 days and will be reviewed for any symptoms by authorized medical personnel from the federal government.

  “This is a preventative measure. Every passenger receives multiple, thorough screenings before leaving from overseas and again upon arrival to the United States. HHS will be responsible for all care, transportation, and security of the passengers during the quarantine period. Anyone showing symptoms of the infection will be transported to an off-base medical facility for a full medical evaluation, treatment, and isolation,” the Joint Base said in a statement.

  This base will become helpful especially with recent virus scares in the area.

  A Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas cruise ship had recently docked into Bayonne, holding at least 12 Chinese nationals, according to multiple reports. 12 people were screened, and four passengers were brought to the hospital for further evaluation.

  Mayor Jimmy Davis tweeted that it was a “Below Low Risk” situation according to The Center for Disease Control.

  The rest of the passengers on the cruise ship were releases without any further evaluation.

  So far there has been over 31,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus all around the world, with over 600 deaths mainly occurring in China. There have been 12 confirmed cases of the coronavirus within the United States, although there have been no cases so far reported in New Jersey, New York or Pennsylvania.