First Alaska cruise returns to port after Covid-19 infection
The first cruise to resume in US coastal waters abruptly returned to port after a passenger tested positive for coronavirus.
UnCruise’s Wilderness Adventurer was on the first Alaska cruise of the year but lasted only three days before its first positive Covid-19 test.
The ship left Juneau but returned to port after receiving news of the passenger’s test result.
UnCruise says the passenger was tested on arrival at Anchorage Airport but was already aboard the ship when test results came through.
"The guest is showing no symptoms and no other guests or crew are showing outward symptoms of any kind. All guests have been informed and will quarantine until the state of Alaska deems it safe for them to return home," UnCruise said in a statement.
Passengers will isolate at a local hotel ‘while we work with local and state officials on the next steps with testing and contact tracing’ the cruise line said.
Crew members will stay aboard the ship.
Cruise ships have been blamed as major sources for the fast spread of Covid-19 and this incident seems to be entirely avoidable.
The Wilderness Explorer is exempt from the CDC’s no sail order as it is registered in the US and carries fewer than 250 passengers.
It had planned four mores sailings but these have now been cancelled.
By Ray Montgomery, US editor
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TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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