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Published 03/16/2020 | Reading Time 1 min 31 sec
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — More than two dozen Oklahomans who were on a cruise that had a coronavirus outbreak have returned home after being quarantined, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Monday.
Stitt said all 26 Oklahomans who were aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship returned home. They will remain quarantined in their homes for another 14 days and will be monitored by local health officials.
“These passengers were all asymptomatic before being allowed to come home, and our state health department officials will ensure they have the resources they need while resting at home and recovering from this stressful experience,” Stitt said in a statement.
The ship with 3,500 passengers was forced to idle off the coast of California after more than 20 people on board were diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The vast majority of people who contract the virus recover within weeks. It causes only mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but it can lead to more severe illness, including pneumonia, for some patients, especially older adults and people with preexisting health problems.
At least eight people in Oklahoma have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, according to the state Department of Health.
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
