A cruise ship that was sickness-free just days ago is now reporting multiple deaths and dozens of potential cases of COVID-19, and people from Nanaimo are still stranded on board.
Holland America Line confirmed in an media advisory Friday, March 27, that of the 1,243 guests and 586 crew currently aboard the Zaandam, currently at anchor off the coast of Panama, 53 passengers and 85 crew have reported to the ship香蕉视频直播檚 medical centre with flu-like symptoms.
Maggie Tilley and her husband David Andrews, on March 7, have been unable to disembark since countries in South America started closing their borders mid-month.
香蕉视频直播淪ad news. Four people on board passed away yesterday and overnight,香蕉视频直播� Tilley said in an e-mail Friday. 香蕉视频直播淭esting has started and [there are] COVID-19 positive test results. I am still feeling fine.香蕉视频直播�
Holland America Line has arranged for the Zaandam to rendezvous with its sister ship Rotterdam to transfer some passengers and medical staff between the two ships and reported it received approval from Panamanian authorities for ship-to-ship operations. Medical supplies and medical staff have been transferred to the Zaandam.
香蕉视频直播淭oday we announced a plan to transfer groups of healthy Zaandam guests to Rotterdam, with strict protocols for this process developed in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,香蕉视频直播� the press release noted.
But only those passengers who have not been ill will be moved, health screenings will be conducted before transferring and priority for the first guests to transfer will be given to those on the Zaandam with inside staterooms and who are over 70.
香蕉视频直播淚 am worried because David has a stupid cough that he hasn香蕉视频直播檛 been able to shake for months,香蕉视频直播� Tilley said. 香蕉视频直播淔ingers crossed we get moved.香蕉视频直播�
She went on to say the voyage has 香蕉视频直播渂ecome a nightmare.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚t is hard to eat the food because it has gone down in quality and I feel it may be contaminated,香蕉视频直播� Tilley said. 香蕉视频直播淢y guess is that the kitchen staff has been hit hard. A lot more crew are sick than guests. A couple of days ago we heard 86 crew and 40-odd guests, but it is climbing fast.香蕉视频直播�
Passengers started coming to the ship香蕉视频直播檚 medical centre with flu-like symptoms Saturday. As of Thursday, two passengers had tested positive for COVID-19, Holland America confirmed.
香蕉视频直播淲hen Zaandam first saw a number of guests reporting to the medical center with influenza-like illness symptoms, we took immediate protective measures, including asking all guests to self-isolate in their staterooms and implementing all other appropriate precautions that have been developed in coordination with the CDC. All guests and crew received face masks yesterday and were provided with instructions on when and how to wear them,香蕉视频直播� the company said in its press release.
Holland America confirmed the deaths of 香蕉视频直播渇our older guests香蕉视频直播� aboard the Zaandam.
香蕉视频直播淥ur thoughts and prayers are with their families and we are doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time,香蕉视频直播� the statement noted.
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The cruise is offering counselling services to passengers and crew and contact information for people with family aboard.
香蕉视频直播淲hile the onward plan for both ships is still being finalized, we continue to work with the Panamanian authorities on approval to transit the Panama Canal for sailing to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,香蕉视频直播� the release noted.
Anyone wishing to obtain information about family members aboard the Zandaam is asked to call 1-877-425-2231 or 1-206-626-7398.
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