Coronavirus: thousands held on Grand Princess cruise ship off California over fears of new outbreak
- Ship not allowed into port until passengers have been tested for the virus
- A 71-year-old male guest who died had sailed on previous voyage
Thousands were stranded on a cruise ship off the California coast Wednesday over fears of the new coronavirus after passengers and crew members on board developed symptoms.
Officials delayed the return of the Grand Princess to San Francisco on Wednesday night from Hawaii to carry out testing on board for those potentially infected.
The ship’s return from its current voyage was being delayed to allow “ample timing” for testing of “a number of passengers and crew members that have developed symptoms,” Newsom told a press conference.
“So we’re holding that ship, which (has) thousands of passengers as well, off the coast, and we’ll be conducting those tests,” he added.
Eleven passengers and 10 crew members were potentially infected with the virus, Newsom said.