Twelve patients currently being quarantined at Asilomar, up to 24 could be housed

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, officials announced 12 patients are currently being quarantined at Asilomar.

These people were passengers on board the Grand Princess Cruise Ship.

Officials say there is potential for 24 patients to be housed on the grounds. That will be up to the state of California. Local officials say they are working their best to accommodate every request made by the state.

The County Health Department says local hospitals are prepared to care for anyone with the virus, should it be necessary.

Once the quarantined patients' time is up here, they will either be released, or sent to another facility.

UPDATE 3/11/20 7:20 a.m.: Up to 24 people who disembarked the Grand Princess cruise ship in Oakland are being housed at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove.

According to California Office of Emergency Services, all the individuals have been screened by medical professionals, and because they have mild symptoms that do not require hospitalization, they cannot be quarantined at Travis Air Force Base. While none of these individuals is known to have contracted novel coronavirus (COVID-19), they will be tested and monitored by medical professionals while at Asilomar. 

The CAL OES wesbsite states that the individuals will be temporarily housed in buildings that are removed from visitors and the public, and will not interact with other Asilomar guests, employees or the general public. 

UPDATE 3/10/20 10:57 p.m.: A Pacific Grove neighborhood is concerned after finding out it's hosting four patients who were tested for the coronavirus.

"I live a mile away from here, and it's just a really scary thing," neighbor Hanna Tymchak said.

The City of Monterey says these four people have tested negative, but local residents are still on edge.

“To me it seems inappropriate to bring people into a setting like this,” neighbor Vince Tuminello said.

The surrounding community is residential, but the four patients are being housed at Asilomar conference grounds.

“Because they were exposed, they need to be quarantined," Monterey County District 5 Supervisor Mary Adams said. "And that’s why the state has chosen to put them in the facility that they own at Asilomar.”

The state will be providing all the resources to care for these patients over the next 14 days. That includes security and medical personnel. The county says the patients will not come into contact with any Asilomar guests or staff--let alone the public. But some still have questions.

“How secure is this facility going to be now and in the future?” Tuminello asked.

For now, tape surrounds the area, keeping the public away.

PREVIOUS STORY: Four former passengers of the Grand Princess Cruise docked in Oakland, who tested negative for coronavirus will be brought to Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove.

According to the City of Monterey, the four individuals tested negative for Covid-19. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, according to the City of Monterey, informed them of the decision to house passengers in the area.

KION is told they will be quarantined there for 14 days. The park is owned by the state of California and according to Governor Gavin Newsom, has been completely empty of guests.

Workers and medical personnel on site will have protective gear.

In a news conference on Tuesday morning, Newsom announced 26 passengers who did not require hospitalization were being moved to hotels and motels in counties around California.

Newsom says he has also secured hotels in Burlingame and San Carlos. He calls these some of the safest sites in the community.

Newsom adds the people who will be housed do not need to be in the hospital with severe symptoms, these are people being monitored through the incubation process.

“We are working with Federal and State officials to make sure every step is taken to protect the health of our community,” says Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County Health Officer.

Moreno says most of the steps people take each year to protect themselves against seasonal flu will help reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face with your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects often.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from a person who is ill.
• Stay home when you are not feeling well

For additional information about the passenger quarantine in Monterey County, please contact the Monterey County District 5 Office at 755-5055 or 647-7695.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.