Pentagon approves using military bases to quarantine 1,000

Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Saturday approved a request from Department of Health and Human Services for possible use of military facilities to accommodate 1,000 people who may have to be quarantined upon arrival from overseas due to Coronavirus.

A Defense Department statement said HHS officials requested use of several facilities capable of housing at least 250 people in individual rooms through February 29. HHS would be responsible for all care, transportation and security of evacuees, according to statement.

viral outbreak began in China, where death toll rose to 259 on Saturday. More than 11,900 people have been infected globally, vast majority of m on Chinese mainland.

And order signed on Friday by President Donald Trump temporarily bars entry to foreign nationals who have travelled to China within last 14 days, with exception of immediate family of US citizens and permanent residents.

Americans returning from China will be allowed into country, but will face screening at select ports of entry and required to undertake 14 days of self-screening to ensure y don't pose a health risk. Those returning from Hubei province, center of outbreak, will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine.

installations selected by Defense Department are 168th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, Fort Carson, Coloro; Travis Air Force Base, California; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.

Nearly 200 Americans alrey are quarantined at a military base in Sourn California after being evacuated from Wuhan, capital of Hubei province.

ne of Americans being housed at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside has shown signs of illness, but it can take up to two weeks for someone who is infected to get sick.

Beginning on Sunday, US will also begin funneling all flights to US from China to seven major airports where passengers can be screened for illness.