Final answer:
The statement that best summarizes the central idea of the paragraph from The Hot Zone is D, which suggests that discretion and avoidance of public alarm were central to the team's actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
From the paragraph provided from The Hot Zone, the statement that best summarizes the central idea is D: Great care was taken to keep the truth from the public. The paragraph details the movement of a covert team as they navigate through traffic, showing their consideration of the public's perception by parking out of sight and choosing a subtle insertion point for their operation. This passage reflects a situation where a group is attempting to handle a sensitive situation discreetly without alarming the public.