Marine Corps Air Station Miramar will serve as a quarantine center for U.S. citizens on a return flight from China as the coronavirus continues to spread, but officials have not confirmed when the plane will touch down in San Diego.
Rep. Scott Peters said Sunday that MCAS Miramar would receive a flight of American citizens from China on Monday due to the coronavirus, but the base said there has been no confirmation on when a flight will be arriving.
In a tweet Monday, Col. Charles Dockery explained MCAS Miramar's role for the plane landing. He said, "I cannot give you a timeframe for completion, but what I know is that the quarantine duration is 14 days."
The people will be accommodated in the Consolidated Bachelor Quarters, Director of Communications Capt. Matthew Gregory said.
Dockery's full statement is provided below:
"According to MCAS Miramar, the passengers on board the flight from China will arrive Monday and have already been screened twice for signs of the virus," Peters' initial statement said.
NBC 7 then reached out to MCAS Miramar who said the representative's statement was inaccurate.
MCAS Miramar has not received any confirmation on when a flight would arrive, Gregory told NBC 7. MCAS Miramar reached out to Peters about the incorrect information.
"According to MCAS Miramar, the passengers on board the flight from China have already been screened twice and will be held on the military base to undergo 14 days of screening to ensure they do not pose a health risk to the public," Peters said in a revised statement around 5 p.m.
"An earlier version of this release contained a timeline that was inaccurate. The situation remains fluid," Peters added.
"I will continue to monitor the situation closely, and I am requesting a public briefing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide San Diegans with the most updated information," Peters said.
This all comes after Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Saturday approved a request from the Department of Health and Human Services for the possible use of military facilities to accommodate 1,000 people who may have to be quarantined upon arrival from overseas due to a new virus.
The Pentagon chose four military bases across the country, including MCAS Miramar.
“As we continue to learn more, I urge everyone to remain calm and follow CDC guidance. There have been no confirmed cases of the virus within San Diego, Poway, or Coronado," Rep. Scott Peters of the 52nd congressional district said.
Some audiences expressed confusion online as various media outlets reported a Monday incoming plane, citing Peters' statement.
