The US State Department announced Saturday that more than 800 US citizens and residents were returned to the country after being held in Wuhan as Chinese officials worked to contain the contagious coronavirus. In a statement, the State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said all returning citizens will be screened for the virus to ensure it isn't carried into the US. "Two flights from Wuhan carrying US citizens, their immediate family members, and US Lawful Permanent Residents safely landed in the United States," Ortagus said. "As with the other recent evacuation flights, all passengers will be carefully screened and monitored by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services." The department noted that they had worked with the Department of Defense and local authorities in Wuhan to coordinate the evacuation. "We remain committed to our vital mission of ensuring the welfare of US citizens overseas and providing important information to help them stay safe. Our team here in Washington and at our Embassy and consulates in China are working closely with the People's Republic of China authorities to offer all possible support to US citizens throughout China," Ortagus added.
With inputs from Agencies.
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