Coronavirus fears as Princess ship held off California coast
Princess Cruises has another potential coronavirus crisis.
The Grand Princess is being recalled to San Francisco after two passengers on a previous cruise were confirmed with coronavirus, and one has died.
The ship will be held off the coast of San Francisco, said California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who also declared a state of emergency.
According to a letter sent to current passengers, the CDC is investigating a ‘small cluster’ of cases linked to the ship.
Newsom said some passengers have started showing symptoms.
It is still unclear what the CDC will do if more people show possible symptoms, especially after the experience of sister ship Diamond Princess in Japan last month.
A shipboard quarantine seems unlikely given the failure to curb the spread aboard Diamond Princess.
"The CDC is continuing to actively collect information and has set up a meeting with us this morning to determine what, if any, actions need to be taken during this cruise and on arrival in San Francisco," the cruise line said.
"We have shared essential travel and health data with the CDC to facilitate their standard notification to the State and County health authorities."
Some passengers are still aboard the ship that may have come into contact with the two passengers who contracted coronavirus during the previous cruise from February 11 to 21.
"For those guests who sailed with us on our previous voyage and may have been exposed, in an abundance of caution, the CDC requires you to remain in your stateroom until you have been contacted and cleared by our medical staff," the letter to passengers said.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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