27 On NJ Ship Tested For Coronavirus, Murphy Says; Camp Set Up

NEW JERSEY — More than two dozen people who arrived Friday on a cruise ship in New Jersey were tested for the new coronavirus after some fell ill and were quarantined, officials say. The testing comes just as a quarantine camp has been set up in the state that could house potentially ill patients who then would be transported to a locally unidentified hospital if they get sick.

Gov. Phil Murphy and Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis said more than two dozen people were tested Friday morning and that four were sent to an area hospital for further screening after the ship docked in Bayonne.

"I am certain that the (New Jersey Department of Health), CDC and (Port Authority) are prepared and equipped to address any concerns this morning," Davis said.

In a statement, Murphy said the representatives of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention boarded a Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked in Bayonne and screened 27 passengers who recently traveled from mainland China.

After being assessed by the CDC, 23 of those passengers were cleared and four are being evaluated at the hospital, he said.

"The hospital is following proper infection control protocols while evaluating these individuals," Murphy said. "New Jersey currently has no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, and the risk to residents remains low.”

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship with the passengers who fell ill docked around 6 a.m. in Bayonne, according to WABC-TV.

Royal Caribbean issued this statement:

"Like airlines, we are participating in elevated levels of guest screening to check the spread of coronavirus. We are closely monitoring developments regarding coronavirus and have rigorous medical protocols in place onboard our ships. We continue to work in close consultation with the CDC, the WHO, and local health authorities to align with their guidance and ensure the health and well-being of our guests and crew."

The news also comes days after New Jersey's first mandatory quarantine related to the new coronavirus took place at Newark Liberty International Airport, authorities said. Read more: Newark Airport Sees NJ's First Mandatory Coronavirus Quarantine

Also, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have identified the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as among several military installations near 11 major airports that could house quarantined patients.

The federal health department will be responsible for all care, transportation and security of the people, according to a Department of Defense statement. If anyone falls ill, procedures are in place to transport them to a local civilian medical facility, the DOD said.

Authorities in New Jersey, meanwhile, say they are taking "every precaution necessary" to ensure residents are protected against the new coronavirus, even as students at one college have been ordered to "self-isolate" over fears that the disease could spread in the Garden State.

Students and staff at Princeton University who have returned from mainland China over the last 14 days, and have been classified as "high" or "medium" risk, have been ordered to "self-isolate." They are not allowed to attend classes or school events. Read more: Princeton U. Students To 'Self Isolate' Over Fears Of Coronavirus

New Jersey, meanwhile, is recommending that anyone should voluntarily "self-quarantine" from the public while the disease is being closely monitored by the CDC.

Currently, there are 31,400 confirmed cases globally and more than 640 deaths. About 150 cases have been confirmed across 25 other countries, and there are 11 confirmed cases in the U.S.: Washington, Arizona, Massachusetts, Illinois (two) and California (six), according to the state Department of Health.

“Outbreaks like this — when a new virus is emerging to infect people — are always concerning,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli. “The situation poses a serious public health threat, but the risk to New Jersey residents remains low, and our level of preparedness is high.”

Here are nine things to know about new coronavirus' risk in New Jersey and how the state is dealing with the threat:

• So far, no cases have been confirmed in New Jersey. Two possible cases of the virus were investigated but were cleared; one was at Hackensack University Medical Center, and the other was at an unknown location.
• New Jersey employees and students are considered at high risk if they've traveled to Wuhan/Hubei Province in the past two weeks and have been in close contact with someone confirmed with the virus, or while the person was symptomatic or visiting, living with or caring for someone confirmed with the new coronavirus.
• "Close contact" is defined as being 6 feet or within the room or care area of someone with the new coronavirus for a prolonged period, the NJDOH says.
• The Department of Health recommends that such people voluntarily self-quarantine for two weeks from their last exposure and should contact their university/health center, employer or local health department to arrange for active monitoring during this time.
• Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order Monday that establishes the Coronavirus Task Force to coordinate all state efforts to appropriately prepare for and respond to the public health hazard posed by the disease.
• Murphy also noted that Newark Liberty International Airport will serve as one of 11 major airports in the United States authorized to receive flights from China that require enhanced entry screening for the new coronavirus. Read more: Coronavirus: Feds Funnel Planes From China To Newark Airport
• Anyone who has traveled to China in the last 14 days and feels sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should seek medical care right away. The CDC said symptoms of the new coronavirus may appear in as few as two days or could take as long as 14 days after exposure.
• Most coronaviruses cause mild respiratory illnesses, similar to the common cold, and a fever. Some can be more severe, such as SARS and MERS, health officials say.
• More information on the virus can be found nj.gov/health/coronavirus.