Americans repatriated from coronavirus-quarantined cruise ship

More than 300 citizens returned to the U.S. Sunday from a quarantined cruise ship off the coast of Japan, including 14 who tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the State Department announced. Those testing positive were sent to University of Nebraska Medical Center, which is prepared to take other quarantined patients who develop symptoms. Asymptomatic passengers will stay in quarantine at either Travis Air Force Base in California or Joint Base San Antonio in Texas. 

The Food and Drug Administration continues to closely monitor the domestic and global supply chain for potential disruptions or shortages of critical medical products or equipment, including personal protective equipment, said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn. Since inspectors could not travel to China due to a travel advisory, FDA said it postponed PPE, medical device and drug inspections or used other information to conduct inspections. 

While no treatment currently exists for the new coronavirus, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response announced it is working with Janssen Research and Development to create treatments and with Sanofi Pasteur to develop a vaccine.

See today’s special AHA coronavirus update for more information on member calls, PPE and preparing for COVID-19-positive patients.

For the latest information and resources, including hospital checklists and “myth busters,” visit AHA’s coronavirus webpage.