3,500 Passengers, Crew on Cruise Ship Wait Off California Coast For Coronavirus Screening

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, World News Friday, March 6th, 2020

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A cruise ship carrying 3,500 people Friday waited off the coast of California while tests for the new coronavirus – Covid-19 are carried out on them.

Earlier, one passenger died and at least four others became infected on a previous voyage by the ship – the Grand Princess.

Reports said Californian Governor, Gavin Newsom has refused to allow the ship to dock until its passengers are properly assessed. Test results are expected later today – Friday.

There are 142 Britons among those aboard the ship, which is returning from a voyage to Hawaii after a trip to Mexico last month.

Test kits were delivered by military helicopter Thursday as the vessel sat off San Francisco.

The US has so far recorded about 200 cases and 12 deaths as the global struggle with the virus continues.

Over 92,000 cases have been recorded worldwide, with 80,552 in China, where the virus originated.

China also accounts for the vast majority of deaths – 3,042 to date. Stocks in Asia and the UK fell sharply Friday as investors continued to worry about the broader economic effects of the virus.