A chartered flight carrying around 200 people evacuating from Wuhan, China is set to land in Anchorage Tuesday evening for a refueling stop.
Wuhan is the epicenter of a new Coronavirus that has sickened thousands and killed more than 100, The Associated Press reported. The plane left the city before dawn Wednesday, China time.
Alaska health officials say everyone on board has already been screened for symptoms of the novel coronavirus spreading rapidly in parts of China, and will be checked again after disembarking in an isolated section of the Ted Stevens Airport.
In a news release Tuesday afternoon, the state’s Department of Health and Social Services says its coordinating with local and federal partners as the U.S. citizens are repatriated. Passengers will go into the airport’s north terminal, which is currently closed to the public. There, they’ll go through U.S. Customs and and be re-evaluated by Centers for Disease Control staff for any symptoms of the novel upper-respiratory virus, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Related: Here’s how Alaska is preparing for the Wuhan coronavirus
After the fuel stop, the flight, operated by Michigan-based cargo charter company Kalitta Air, will continue on to California. DHSS says if anyone is found to need medical care, a “team will work with federal, state, and local partners” if they’ll receive treatment at an Anchorage-area hospital or be moved to the Lower 48.
Related: Coronavirus evacuees to make virus screening, refuel stop at Anchorage airport.
According to online flight-tracking service Flightradar24, a flight that left from Wuhan en route to Anchorage is scheduled to land around 9 p.m. Tuesday evening.
The state has set up a website on the coronavirus for Alaskans to stay up to date.
Zachariah Hughes reports on city & state politics, arts & culture, drugs, and military affairs in Anchorage and South Central Alaska.
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