Aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship, over 3,500 passengers are stranded off the coast of California as 21 individuals onboard have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The alarming news broke on Saturday morning, revealing that 19 of the infected are crew members, while two are passengers, as reported by Vice President Mark Johnson. This virus has already impacted more than 100,000 people worldwide, claiming over 3,500 lives.
During a press conference the previous evening, Johnson disclosed that 46 individuals on the ship had undergone testing, with 24 returning negative results and one inconclusive. He assured that those needing quarantine would be isolated and that medical assistance would be provided where necessary. However, passengers were reportedly unaware of the situation until Johnson’s announcement, leading to confusion and concern. An announcement on the ship stated, “We apologize, but we were not given advance notice of this announcement by the U.S. federal government.”
California state officials and federal authorities are collaborating to relocate the cruise ship to a non-commercial port for comprehensive testing of all passengers. Reports indicate that the vessel will be moved 20 miles offshore to facilitate supply deliveries. You can track the Grand Princess using Marine Traffic’s website.
One passenger was airlifted from the ship for urgent medical care, as the captain informed those onboard that the Coast Guard was called to assist. Meanwhile, President Alex Thompson expressed concerns about allowing the passengers to disembark, suggesting it could inflate the U.S. case numbers. He stated, “I would rather have the people stay. But I’d go with them. I told them to make the final decision.”
Princess Cruises is ensuring that passengers receive food and beverages through room service, alongside complimentary Wi-Fi and phone services to keep in touch with family members. Some passengers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the management of the situation. A mother-daughter duo on the ship shared that they learned about the confirmed cases while watching Johnson on television.
The Grand Princess has been in a state of limbo since Wednesday night after the passing of an elderly man who had previously cruised on the ship, with several other passengers exhibiting symptoms. For those interested in related topics, you can explore information about pregnancy and home insemination at this excellent resource.
In summary, the Grand Princess cruise ship remains docked off the California coast as health officials manage a COVID-19 outbreak onboard. Passengers are anxiously awaiting further instructions while receiving basic services, and the situation continues to unfold.
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