At least 48 people have tested positive for COVID-19 on Symphony of Seas, the world’s biggest cruise ship, according to operator Royal Caribbean International. The ship docked at Miami over the weekend where the cases were detected among the 6,091 on board, raising concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The ship left Miami on December 11 for a seven-day trip and made stops at Caribbean ports St Maarten, St Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean's private island), reported its spokesperson Lyan Sierra-Caro.
Although initially only 44 cases were reported, according to USA Today, Sierra-Caro said today, “This number (48) includes four additional close contacts which were identified as COVID-19 positive at the end of the voyage.” She also said that the guests were quarantined on board and assisted upon the ship’s arrival on December 18.
Royal Caribbean said 95 per cent of the people on board were fully vaccinated and 98 per cent of those who tested positive were also fully vaccinated.
In a statement, Royal Caribbean said that “everyone who tested positive were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, and we continuously monitored their health”.
Six guests who tested positive were disembarked earlier in the cruise and transported home, while the other positive passengers were assisted when they disembarked in Miami on December 18.
Passengers say the cruise was overwhelmed. According to Miami Herald, James Johnson of Orlando attested that his aunt, who was the first person to be tested positive in their group, was highly symptomatic and started feeling ill with a sore throat, earache and developed a severe cough.
Although the Royal Caribbean promised adequate medical assistance, Johnson said that his aunt received only oxygen and temperature checks. He was told that the medical team was too overwhelmed to keep a continuous check on her.
But the spokesperson commented that it was not the case and that their staff was able to handle all the cases on board, following the right protocol.
Earlier this month, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship that docked in New Orleans was disembarked after 17 passengers and crew members were infected with COVID-19. The Louisiana Department of Health said that at least one of the infected crew members was suspected to have the new Omicron variant.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that it was aware of the situation and the Royal Caribbean will remain under observation.
