OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Several Nebraskans who were passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship returned home Monday.
The ship had been docked off the coast of California after COVID-19 cases were identified.
Nebraska residents who had been on the ship were evacuated early last week. Since then, they were quarantined at a military facility in California before returning to Nebraska on Monday.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), passengers were medically screened by the federal response team to make sure they weren't showing coronavirus symptoms.
The UNMC/Nebraska Medicine team is coordinating transport of the Nebraskan passengers back to their homes where they will self-quarantine for two weeks and be monitored by their local health department.
“Ensuring the health of all Nebraskans is our priority. These passengers have not been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019, they are not sick and haven’t shown any symptoms of the disease at this time,” said Dr. Gary Anthone, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health for DHHS. “If they do start experiencing symptoms, they will be immediately referred for care.”
Eight Nebraskans returned Monday and another four will arrive in the coming days.
3 News Now has exclusive footage of their return above.