Naval Base Kitsap can house passengers quarantined for coronavirus

BREMERTON — The Pentagon has added military installations, including Naval Base Kitsap, to a list of sites that could house passengers quarantined for coronavirus.

Eleven major airports, including Seattle-Tacoma International, can screen travelers from China for the virus, and those who are flagged for quarantine would first fill area facilities identified by the federal Housing and Human Services department. The Defense Department identified Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor as a "tertiary" site that could handle any overflow — a maximum of 20 people.

"The passengers would be restricted to a small designated area in one of our lodging facilities for the duration of their observation period," said Jake Chappelle, a Naval Base Kitsap spokesman. "Base personnel would not be in contact with the passengers, nor would they have access to any base locations other than their assigned lodging."

The death toll from the coronavirus approached 1,000 people Monday, with more than 40,600 cases reported across the globe. Almost all deaths have occurred in mainland China and most in the city of Wuhan. The World Health Organization declared the virus a global emergency about two weeks ago.

Should Bangor become a site for quarantine, Chappelle said the federal Department of Health and Human Services would provide all services for those under observation, with the base providing only the housing. There are no passengers here yet nor any timetable for when they could arrive, but "we’re well postured to support (the departments of defense and health and human services)," Chappelle said. Such support won't "negatively impact readiness or critical operations," he added.

"Rest assured, we’re prepared if called upon," he said.