14 Crew Members Test Positive For COVID-19 On Royal Caribbean Ship That Docked In Miami
In what is sure to be seen as another blow to the cruising industry during the COVID-19 outbreak, 14 crew members aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas just tested positive for the coronavirus. This is according to a recent report in the Miami Herald.
Reports began to surface yesterday (March 29th) after a crew member on board the ship recorded the Captain making an announcement on the PA that there were 14 positive cases.
“At the moment, we have 14 that have test positive for COVID-19 onboard the Oasis of the Seas out of all we have tested,” the captain said in the recording.
In an official statement directly from the cruise line, a spokesperson said, “The health and well-being of our crew is our foremost priority. Crewmembers who exhibited symptoms were evaluated by our medical staff and remain under close supervision. In accordance with our health and safety protocols, our crew have been asked to self-isolate in cabins while we await confirmation of initial results from public health authorities.
As a safety precaution crew members have been confined to their cabins. Masks gloves and other protective gear are also being handed out.
Oasis of the Seas is a massive ship which can carry over 5400 passengers. There are 1,700 works and contractors aboard the ship. According to the Miami Herald, the captain did now say when the crew members were suspected to have become ill. However, a crew member said there were workers aboard the ship with flu-like symptoms before the cruises were suspended on March 13th.
The ship is currently docked in the Bahamas but did make a recent port stop in Miami. According to reports, the shipped docked at the port on March 24 and unloaded passengers before departing later that day. During that time, crew members aboard the ship were allowed to leave to go home. However, those residing in countries that have shut their borders remained on the ship.
Oasis of the Seas currently sits 15 miles from Great Harbour Cay’s shore in the Bahamas. This is the same location where five other Royal Caribbean ships are and two Holland America ships.
We also recently shared the story of the Zaandam, a Holland America ship that has reported four deaths and is carrying 150 passengers who are sick with flu-like symptoms. It is heading toward Port Everglades to unload ill passengers.
The crew member said the ship is scheduled to return to Miami, the cruise’s home port, on March 31. But they are unsure if that schedule will be kept.
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