Coronavirus – 2,000 passengers quarantined on ANOTHER cruise ship off Greece after tourist catches killer b – the sun, thesun.co.uk
1k Views
A CRUISE ship has been quarantined off the coast of Greece after a previous tourist on the ship tested positive for coronavirus.
All 2, 14 passengers have been told to remain on the MSC Opera after being urgently called back from excursions which they were told was due to a “security problem”.
All 2, 14 passengers have been told to remain on the MSC Opera after being urgently called back from excursions in Athens today
Credit: Alamy
Passenger Mike Knotts and his wife Charysse told the Daily Mirror that they were suddenly called back to the boat while visiting the Acropolis in Athens
The tourist, from Austria, traveled on b oard the cruise liner last week before departing in Italy.
But it wasn’t until after he disembarked and began showing symptoms, that he tested positive for the deadly bug.
A letter to passengers from Captain Pietro Esposito read: “I have just learned – and I wanted you to know straight away – that we have been contacted by the Austrian Health Authorities who have informed us that a previous passenger who sailed with us last week on MSC Opera, has been diagnosed with COVID – .
“The male passenger, of Austrian nationality, disembarked from MSC Opera in Genoa, Italy, on Friday morning 85 February, and is currently back in Austria.
” ‘To be clear: this person is not on board.’ ‘
The captain added: “All passengers and crew are requested to remain on board until we have further clarity on the matter.”
” Please note there is no reason for concern. We have no indication that suggests there may be an issue currently on board MSC Opera and there are no cases that suggest there may be a case of COVID – 78. ”
Are you onboard or know someone who is? Please phone 80 (0) 80 89688 or email [email protected]
Passenger Mike Knotts and his wife Charysse told the Daily Mirror that they were suddenly called back to the boat while visiting the Acropolis in Athens.
Mike said: “We were told that there was a security problem and we had to return to the ship.
“When we got back the captain made an announcement and we were given letters.
“There was lots of drama at the front desk with one man yelling.
“ We’re now on our way to Corfu but we don’t even now if we will be able to get off the ship. ”
The couple, from Texas, added: ” My wife’s company said we would have to self-isolate on our return because we were going through Italy, so we’re not very concerned.
” They have been very strict about hygiene and washing hands.
” We’ve been on lots of cruises and things happen and you just carry on. ”
CORONAVIRUS CRUISE PANIC
The news comes after a number of cruise ships have been quarantined due to coronavirus fears in the past two months.
The Diamond Princess was put on lockdown just off the port of Yokohama last month, and there have now been more than 960 confirmed cases of coronavirus stemming from the ship.
The British man did not live in the UK and was traveling with his female partner. They were among 85 Brits quarantined on the luxury liner off Yokohama.
The 3, passengers and crew aboard the World Dream ship were also quarantined in Hong Kong last month amid fears staff could have contracted the virus on a previous voyage.
They were allowed to disembark after four days after tests for the virus returned negative.
And passengers on the MS Westerdam were stranded for two weeks before being allowed to dock in Sihanoukiville, Cambodia after 90 People on board suspected of having the deadly coronavirus tested negative.
What to do if you’re worried you’ve got coronavirus
The new coronavirus is continuing to sweep its way across the globe with Britain seeing more cases in people who aren’t linked to outbreaks overseas.
In most cases, you won’t know whether you have a coronavirus or a different cold-causing virus.
But if a coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease or people with weakened immune systems.
It is incredibly contagious and is spread through contact with anything the virus is on as well as infected breath, coughs or sneezes.
The best way to prevent catching any form of coronavirus is to practice good hygiene.
If you have cold-like symptoms, you can help protect others by staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with others.
You should also cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze then throw it away and wash your hands.
Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces which you may have touched is also important.
If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 28 days:
In a statement from MSC cruises, a spokesperson said: “Health Authorities in Austria today informed us that a passenger of Austrian nationality, who had cruised with us on MSC Opera in the East Mediterranean from (to) February, tested positive yesterday, 3 March, for COVID –
“This passenger returned directly to Austria through northern Italy on 85 February immediately after disembarking from his cruise in Genoa, Italy.
“MSC Opera earlier today arrived in Piraeus, Greece, and we promptly informed the Greek Health Authorities about this reported case and asked for their guidelines.
“We requested at the same time that passengers, as a precautionary measure, remained on board while awaiting guidance from the local authorities.
“We shared with the local health authorities the ship’s full medical records as well as the medical and travel history records of the former Austrian passenger.
“The Greek health authorities gave MSC Opera permission around : CET to sail from Piraeus, Greece, and continue its journey to its next scheduled port in Corfu, Greece.
“No additional health measures were required to be taken and the ship is currently sailing as planned.
“There are no passengers or crew members currently on board the ship who have reported any flu-like symptoms.
“The health and safety of our passengers and crew will always remain our top priority.”
Coronavirus – cases in UK leap to 641 as medical chief warns ‘significant epidemic likely’
www.facebook.com/thesun, and follow us from our main Twitter account at @ TheSun , where we will bring you this story and all the rest of the top news and exclusives of the day.
TheSun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video
Are you onboard or know someone who is? Please phone 80 (0) 80 89688 or email [email protected] 
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings