Covid Outbreak From Norwegian Cruise Grows To 17 Cases—With At Least 1 Omicron
Topline
No less than 17 individuals who have been aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship in New Orleans have examined optimistic for Covid-19, in keeping with the Louisiana Division of Well being, together with one “possible case of Omicron” as well being specialists stay wary in regards to the security of cruising through the pandemic.
Folks pause to take a look at the Norwegian Breakaway, which was christened at a pier on the Hudson River … [+]
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Key Info
The ship, known as the Norwegian Breakaway, simply completed a cruise from New Orleans to Mexico, Belize and Honduras whereas carrying greater than 3,200 individuals onboard.
The one possible omicron case is amongst a South African crew member who “was in isolation for the whole lot of the cruise,” a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson informed Forbes in an announcement.
The ship disembarked in New Orleans on Sunday earlier than setting sail on one other scheduled cruise, with the corporate saying all friends who examined optimistic will journey by car to their private residence or self-isolate in lodging offered by Norwegian.
Norwegian informed Forbes that it provided refunds to all prospects who needed to cancel the cruise that left New Orleans on Sunday.
Norwegian says on its web site that every one friends and crew “are required to be 100% absolutely vaccinated.
What To Watch For
Further security precautions are in place on the Norwegian Breakaway cruise, with the corporate saying all friends will likely be examined twice on the cruise and should put on masks when indoors and never actively consuming or consuming.
Key Background
Cruise ships have been among the many earliest Covid superspreader websites because the pandemic unfold in early 2020, main most nations, together with the U.S., to basically shut down all operations. A whole lot of passengers have been notably contaminated on a ship known as the Diamond Princess whereas on a cruise in Japan, and former President Donald Trump was reportedly livid that 14 Covid-positive U.S. residents have been allowed again within the nation in February 2020. All cruises from U.S. ports have been halted on March 14, 2020 after the CDC issued a no sail order. Cruises wouldn’t resume till summer time of 2021 when the federal authorities allowed a handful of take a look at cruises forward of standard operations resuming.
Massive Quantity
1,359. That is what number of Covid circumstances have been confirmed on U.S. cruises from June 26 to Oct. 21, in keeping with a report from the CDC. Most of these have been breakthrough circumstances amongst absolutely vaccinated passengers.
Additional Studying
Are cruises safe right now? Experts say they’re ‘a recipe for Covid transmission’ (CNBC)
Cruises reported more than 1,350 covid cases since June, CDC report reveals (Washington Publish)
Royal Caribbean Allowed To Begin Take a look at Cruises In June, Changing into First Firm To Do So (Forbes)
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