Five Catalans aboard MV Hondius discharged from hospital

The five Catalan citizens aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship have been discharged from hospital after testing negative for hantavirus for a second time. 

The second negative result means they are now able to continue isolation at home, according to the Department of Health. 

The five were discharged on June 6 from the Gómez Ulla hospital in Madrid. They had been "under observation" and found to be "asymptomatic and in good condition in general." 

Following epidemiological surveillance protocols, the five citizens will continue to be isolated at home with active epidemiological and clinical monitoring by the Public Health Agency of Catalonia and the Emergency Medical System (EMS). 

Despite the isolation, but still within the guidelines, they will be able to leave their houses for short amounts of time wearing a mask and taking precautions. 

The epidemiological protocols include 42 days of isolation, two daily temperature checks and the obligation to report any symptoms immediately. 

Symptoms that need reporting include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and back pain. 

As part of protocol, the patients need to have specific requirements in the houses they return to, such as well-ventilated individual rooms and their own bathrooms.