More than 100 Britons are trapped on a cruise ship off California’s coast amid fears people on board could have coronavirus.
A passenger on an earlier voyage died and at least one other became infected with the flu-like illness.
Tests are being carried out for suspected cases on the Grand Princess, which is carrying 3,533 people, including 142 Britons – 121 passengers and 21 crew – and everyone has been advised to stay in their rooms.
Another ship owned by Princess Cruises, the Diamond Princess, is still quarantined in Japan after at least 705 passengers and crew caught the bug, resulting in the deaths of six people, including a British man.
Princess said there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, on the Grand Princess, which was denied entry to its home port in San Francisco.
Less than 100 people were being tested, said company, which is owned by Carnival Corp and based just outside of Los Angeles.It added: “Public health officials have advised that no guests will be permitted to disembark until all results have been received.
“Out of an abundance of caution, all guests who have been identified for testing have been asked to remain in their staterooms.”
The results are expected to be returned on Friday.
Passengers have seen a gradual shutdown on board the ship, starting with the food buffet being closed as gloved staff wiped down surfaces.
The ship’s gym, bar, casino and boutiques were closed, and passengers were told to keep to themselves.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/coronavirus-142-brits-trapped-cruise-21642891
