Coronavirus: cruise ship docked in isolation in Brazil, as operators suspend trips out of US
- Two passengers on the Silver Shadow docked in Recife had symptoms of the Covid-19 coronavirus
- Major operators Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC Cruises have agreed to stop cruises from the US for 30 days
The Brazilian state of Pernambuco’s health secretariat decided on Thursday to keep the ship – with its 318 passengers and 291 crew members – in isolation in the capital of Recife, the agency said in a statement.
Officials did not immediately release the name of the ship, but photographs showed it was the Silver Shadow.
Some passengers had disembarked before officials decided to isolate the ship and Brazil’s health authority asked tourist agencies to facilitate the return of those people. Authorities took action to prevent additional passengers from leaving.
The first passenger suspected of having the virus was described as a 78-year-old man who displayed respiratory problems. Officials said the man was taken from the ship to a private clinic for treatment and testing for the coronavirus.