Carson City couple stuck on cruise ship 'thrilled' to learn of effort to bring them back home
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 03/10/2020 - 12:35pm
A Carson City couple, Robert and Pamela Corkill, stuck on a Grand Princess Cruise ship docked in Oakland, Calif., and quarantined because of the coronavirus among some of the passengers, were surprised to learn Monday evening that state and local health officials are coordinating their return, along with other residents from the capital city, Douglas and Lyon counties.
"We just read an article that said Nevada was trying to get us back to Carson City and we are thrilled to hear that," said Robert Corkill in a voicemail message. He said the couple has been stranded on the ship for days.
"We are facing going to Lackland, Texas. We were praying for a way to do our quarantine at home in Carson City," he said.
Late Monday afternoon Carson City Health and Human Services sent a news release announcing that it is coordinating the return of 15 Carson City, Douglas, and Lyon County residents from the Grand Princess cruise ship.
However, in a news release Monday evening, state health officials said the original release from Carson City Health and Human Services was sent "prematurely" and some of the information in the release was "inaccurate."
On Tuesday afternoon, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services issued a release that outlined conditions for safe and secure return of Nevada cruise ship passengers. Nevada health officials received confirmation from federal authorities that the 49 passengers from Nevada are asymptomatic, the first condition of the passengers returning home.
On Tuesday the Crokill's received the following letter from Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak:
I am extremely gratified to let you know that you are returning to Nevada and not going to a military base in another state due to your potential exposure to COVID-19 aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship. My office has been working around the clock with federal agencies and state and local health authorities to coordinate your return home in the most efficient and safe manner.
You will receive a call today from your local health authority to evaluate your home situation and ensure that you are prepared for the required isolation period. With your return home, Nevada’s state and local health authorities are prepared to support and safeguard you and your family, friends, and community in the most efficient manner possible to protect everyone involved from the potential spread of COVID-19.
The federal authorities are responsible for determining the timing and specifics of your flight back to Nevada. That is not within the state’s control, but we understand that information will be forthcoming to all of you directly.
I recognize that the lack of information and misinformation has resulted in considerable anxiety and frustration. Your congressional delegation, state and local health authorities, and I strongly share your frustration. Please know that we have all been working extremely hard to protect your health and safety as well as that of all Nevadans. I can assure you that my frustration will be loudly and clearly expressed to leaders in Washington D.C. I appreciate all of you reaching out to my office, and we continue to stand ready to serve as a resource for your safe return.
- Carson City
- Afternoon
- Anxiety
- appreciate
- C
- California
- carson
- Carson City Health and Human Services
- City
- community
- Community,
- coronavirus
- county
- COVID-19
- d
- D.C.
- disease
- Douglas
- Family
- friends
- Health
- home
- homes
- information
- learn
- local
- lyon county
- March
- Military
- monitoring
- Nevada
- Nevada Health
- News
- news
- Prevention
- public
- Safe
- Safety
- service
- Services
- state
- Support
- Washington
