In early February, it was reported that the Japanese cruise liner Diamond Princess had been quarantined after several passengers tested positive for COVID-19. With a staggering 3,700 people on board and infection numbers rising, the length of the quarantine was uncertain. Over the weekend, it became evident that the quarantine had been lifted, but alarmingly, some Americans returning to the U.S. from the ship had contracted the virus.
As per a report from NBC News, around 380 American passengers were on the Diamond Princess during the cruise and subsequent quarantine. Of these, 14 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 but were flown back to the U.S. after being classified as asymptomatic. Meanwhile, an additional 44 Americans who showed symptoms will remain in Japan for treatment.
According to a statement from the State Department, the American passengers were being evacuated when officials were informed that some had tested positive for the virus. “During the evacuation process, after passengers had disembarked the ship and initiated transport to the airport, U.S. officials received notice that 14 passengers, who had been tested two to three days earlier, had tested positive for COVID-19,” the joint statement with the Department of Health and Human Services explained.
These individuals were quickly isolated in a specialized containment area on the evacuation aircraft, adhering to safety protocols. The two charter flights transporting evacuees landed at military bases in California and Texas over the weekend. Passengers who developed symptoms in-flight or tested positive were kept separate and will be taken to appropriate facilities for continued isolation and care. All returning passengers must now undergo a new 14-day quarantine.
So, why was the cruise ship quarantine lifted despite the risk of spreading the virus? Dr. Samuel Collins, a leading health official, addressed this on Monday, stating, “In retrospect, the quarantine was largely ineffective in stopping the spread on the ship.” He noted, “The process didn’t work as intended, and many people ended up being infected.” Reports indicate that over 450 passengers aboard the Diamond Princess have contracted the virus.
Globally, around 71,000 COVID-19 cases have been documented, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a global public health emergency, marking only the sixth time in its history such a declaration has been made. Tragically, more than 1,700 individuals have died from the virus, predominantly in mainland China.
The first U.S. case of COVID-19 was reported in January when a man returned from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak. A second case followed shortly after with a woman from Chicago also returning from China. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to monitor the situation closely.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that typically infect animals but can mutate to infect humans. Symptoms in humans can include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, sometimes leading to pneumonia. However, there is a glimmer of hope: Dr. Olivia Hart, WHO’s director, indicated that the cruise ship outbreak implies that COVID-19 may be less deadly than other coronaviruses like SARS and MERS, stating, “More than 80 percent of patients experience mild disease and will recover.”
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Summary
In February 2020, 14 Americans evacuated from the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship tested positive for COVID-19, despite being deemed asymptomatic. The quarantine was criticized for its ineffectiveness in preventing the virus’s spread, which ultimately affected over 450 passengers. While the global situation remains serious, health officials suggest that the majority of cases present mild symptoms.
Keyphrase: COVID-19 cruise ship evacuation
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