U.S. plane leaves Wuhan, China with Americans on board

A U.S. State Department official has told The Associated Press that a chartered plane sent to China to pick up Americans in the city of Wuhan has departed and is en route to the United States.

Passengers include U.S. citizens and consulate staff.

Wuhan is the epicenter of the 2019 novel coronavirus that has sickened thousands and killed more than 100.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly.

The plane left Wuhan before dawn Wednesday, China time.

It’s first stop will be Anchorage, where the travelers will be re-screened for the virus. Hospitals have been notified and are prepared to treat or quarantine people who may be infected.

Then the plane is scheduled to then fly to Ontario, California.

Japanese media also reported that a Japanese plane arrived in Wuhan and will bring back 200 citizens.

The Yomiuri newspaper said in an online article that the plane arrived late Tuesday night in Wuhan and would return to Tokyo early Wednesday morning.

(CGTN)