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Coronavirus: Cruise couple's 'Groundhog Days' on ship Coronavirus: Passengers die in sickness outbreak on cruise
(about 4 hours later)
A British couple have been confined to their cruise ship cabin for days amid an outbreak of sickness on board. Four passengers have died on a cruise ship amid a suspected coronavirus outbreak which has left passengers confined to cabins.
Rose and Rich Harper, from Portland, Dorset, said nearly 150 passengers and crew on the MS Zaandam had flu-like symptoms, but the ship lacked test kits for the Covid-19 virus. Rose and Rich Harper, from Portland, Dorset, said nearly 150 passengers and crew on the MS Zaandam had flu-like symptoms.
They said the vessel had been denied entry to several South American ports.They said the vessel had been denied entry to several South American ports.
Cruise operator Holland America said it had deployed another ship to supply coronavirus test kits. Cruise operator Holland America said four "older guests" had died and two passengers had tested positive.
The couple said they had been allowed out for 30 minutes' exercise after four days of confinement. In a statement the firm said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and we are doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time.
Mr Harper said the outbreak was first reported two weeks after the cruise began at Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 7 March. "Currently, 53 guests (4%) and 85 crew (14%) have reported to Zaandam's medical center with influenza-like illness symptoms. There are 1,243 guests and 586 crew on board."
Mr and Mrs Harper said they had been allowed out for 30 minutes' exercise on Wednesday after four days of confinement.
Mr Harper said the outbreak was first reported two weeks after the cruise began in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 7 March.
He said: "The captain told passengers to return to their cabins and stay, as the ship was going to be in lockdown.He said: "The captain told passengers to return to their cabins and stay, as the ship was going to be in lockdown.
"On Wednesday it was our first day out. We were allowed out of the cabin on to the deck for just 30 minutes."On Wednesday it was our first day out. We were allowed out of the cabin on to the deck for just 30 minutes.
"Everything is like Groundhog Day at the moment. But I suppose at least we're still healthy.""Everything is like Groundhog Day at the moment. But I suppose at least we're still healthy."
His wife added: "We have a delivery of three meals a day. They knock the door and leave the food outside. Mrs Harper added: "We have a delivery of three meals a day. They knock the door and leave the food outside.
"It's just so worrying...You've just got to keep safe and hope everybody else keeps safe." "It's just so worrying... You've just got to keep safe and hope everybody else keeps safe."
'Counselling by phone' 'Abundance of caution'
The couple praised the ship's crew for pushing crosswords under the door and for supplying packs of cards.The couple praised the ship's crew for pushing crosswords under the door and for supplying packs of cards.
They said the ship had begun to run out of food and fuel before being resupplied at sea off Chile.They said the ship had begun to run out of food and fuel before being resupplied at sea off Chile.
In a statement, Holland America said MS Zaandam was now well-provisioned.In a statement, Holland America said MS Zaandam was now well-provisioned.
It said: "Out of an abundance of caution and immediately after noting the early signs of elevated numbers of illness, all guests were asked to remain in their staterooms on March 22. It said: "Out of an abundance of caution and immediately after noting the early signs of elevated numbers of illness, all guests were asked to remain in their staterooms on March 22."
"There are 1,243 guests and 586 crew on board." The firm said another cruise ship had supplied Covid-19 test kits to the Zaandam on Thursday and two guests had tested positive.
Holland America said it had deployed another cruise ship to supply Covid-19 test kits and guests had been offered free counselling by phone. Holland America said it planned to transfer some passengers to the sister ship, Rotterdam, while other passengers would disembark at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The firm said it hoped passengers would disembark at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday. It said free telephone counselling had been offered to passengers and crew.