Dyess people released, back on duty

  • Published
All 12 people isolated for possible Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome infection here have now been released from isolation and are back on duty. The last two who were confined to their quarters were released July 28.

Initial tests on the 12 had all came back negative for the virus, but in the absence of definitive results, each had to remain in isolation for 10 days after the last symptom had disappeared, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Medical officials will continue to conduct tests to search for the cause of the symptoms, and final results may not be available for another two to three weeks.

"While the chance that these people had SARS was always remote, with the last of these individuals being released and symptom-free for 10 days, there is no longer any risk of this to anyone in our community," said Dr. (Col.) Schuyler Geller, the 7th Medical Group commander.

"Despite the circumstances, this was a great opportunity for us to test our procedures and lines of communication for dealing with an event like this," said Geller. "Our medical staff did a great job, and we also sincerely thank (officials in) Abilene and the local hospitals for their unflagging support."