Officials address community over patient quarantine at Asilomar

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION) Officials addressed community concern just 24 hours after a group of passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship were moved into Asilomar Conference Grounds.

"I don't think any of us have lived through an experience like this," said Monterey County Supervisor in the 5th District, Mary Adams.

The group quarantined in Pacific Grove were potentially exposed to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) while aboard the cruise line. Up to 24 passengers can be housed at the Asilomar facility. Officials reveled 12 to 13 are living there now.

"The world health organization has declared this a pandemic. I think all of us are confident saying that it is going to get worse before it gets better," said Adams.

County officials said the state made the decision to send passengers to Asilomar to be quarantined. "It's a state owned facility. They're trying to address state wide issues and this facility met the criteria that the state thought was appropriate to house the passengers," said Monterey County Administrative Officer, Charles McKee.

Officials reminded the public that there are currently no cases of the Coronavirus in Monterey County.

Passengers at Asilomar are said to have only exhibited mild symptoms and do not require hospitalization.

"We are still waiting to receive more detailed information about these individuals. Have they been tested? What are the results of the test? What types of symptoms do they have?," said Dr. Edward Moreno with the Monterey County Health Department.

The county said they plan to keep the community updated as they learn new information.

"We just want to make sure there isn't any concern for the health and well being of our residents, but also realize that the passengers have been through a lot," said McKee.