A COVID-19 outbreak has hit a large cruise ship bound for Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, affecting over 2,000 passengers.
More than 100 passengers and crew members were infected on the Coral Princess cruise ship, which was sailing from Queensland and was scheduled to dock in New South Wales on Tuesday, according to the national broadcaster ABC.
According to the NSW health department, the vast majority of COVID-19 cases on the ship were crew members.
While a few passengers were diagnosed with the virus on board, their infections were most likely acquired prior to boarding.
The onboard medical team isolated and cared for all COVID-19-positive passengers.
The health department classified this outbreak as “amber,” indicating a moderate impact on the vessel.
The ship is currently sailing to the South Coast of New South Wales. There will be no crew members disembarking, and all passengers disembarking will be asked to return a negative RAT result first.
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It is also scheduled to dock in Sydney, New South Wales, for one day on Wednesday before sailing to Brisbane, Queensland’s capital.
On Monday, Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath told local media that COVID-19 protocols were in place on the ship prior to the outbreak, and that the outbreak on the cruise ship was expected.
“This was always going to happen,” Ms D’Ath said, “just like the rest of the community.” “There is no escaping the virus, but I do want to acknowledge that the public health units, as well as the cruise line, are doing everything right and following the protocols in place.”
On Tuesday, Queensland reported 6,768 new COVID-19 cases and 860 hospitalizations, bringing the total number of active cases to 43,047.
In the 24 hours leading up to 4:00 p.m. Monday, NSW reported 10,806 new COVID-19 cases and 2,049 hospitalizations.
