More than 100 cruise ships in US waters suffered COVID-19 outbreaks and almost 3,000 passengers and crew were infected with the virus, new data reveals.
The shock figures were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by The New York Times, who published a detailed report Saturday as to how the coronavirus has roiled the cruise industry.
Back in March, many cruise ships became COVID-19 hotbeds, with guests coming from all corners of the planet and packing together in close quarters, allowing the virus to spread.
Of the 121 cruise ships that entered US waters after March 1, only 15 did not have any COVID-19 cases on board, according to the CDC.
More than 100 cruise ships in US waters suffered COVID-19 outbreaks and almost 3,000 passengers and crew were infected with the virus, new data reveals. Pictured: Holland America’s MS Zaandam arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 2 with infected people on board
Rescue workers are pictured standing by the Zaandam ready to help sick passengers and crew off the ship on April 1. The CDC alleges that, of the nearly 3,000 people who became infected on cruise ships that entered US waters, more than 850 were passengers
The government organization alleges that, of the nearly 3,000 people who became infected on cruise ships that entered US waters, more than 850 were passengers.
However, that number has been disputed by cruise line companies who have accused the CDC of an ‘overcount’.
The CDC number includes ‘clinically compatible’ cases that were thought to have been COVID-19, but were not confirmed by a lab test.
The CDC says Florida-based Carnival Cruises had a whopping 47 ships on which passengers and/or crew became infected with COVID-19.
However, Carnival claims only 15 of their cruises had lab-confirmed cases of the virus.
Carnival operates nine brands, including Costa Cruises and the Holland America Line.
In late March and early April, a number of Carnival ships attempted to dock in the US with sick passengers on board.
First responders evacuate sick crew members with flu-like symptoms from two cruise ships, the Costa Favolosa and Costa Magica in Miami on March 26
The situation posed both a logistical nightmare for local governments who were forced to figure out how to disembark thousands of potentially infected passengers without having them come into contact with members of the general public.
Leaders also faced a moral dilemma: were they to let foreign passengers into the country to take up ICU beds that may be needed for locals who became critically ill from COVID-19?
On March 26, the world watched as 13 sick crew members from two Costa cruise ships were brought to shore in Miami on a lifeboat by medics clad in hazmat suits.
They were rushed to local hospitals for treatment.
On March 26, the world watched as 13 sick crew members from two Costa cruise ships were brought to shore in Miami on a lifeboat by medics clad in hazmat suits
The situation posed both a logistical nightmare for local governments who were forced to figure out how to disembark thousands of potentially infected passengers without having them come into contact with members of the general public
There were dramatic scenes in Fort Lauderdale on April 2 as officials gave cruise ships MS Zaandam and MS Rotterdam permission to port, and sick passengers were rushed to hospital
Less than a week later, on April 2, there were dramatic scenes in Fort Lauderdale as officials gave cruise ships MS Zaandam and MS Rotterdam permission to port.
Critically-ill passengers were rushed off the coronavirus-stricken cruise ships, which finally docked in Florida after being turned away by 14 other countries.
Four passengers on the MS Zaandam died during the cruise.
According to Saturday’s report in The New York Times, a least 80 people died on cruise ships from COVID-19 worldwide.
Meanwhile, thousands of crew members were forced to stay on board their vessels even after guests had departed.
Stranded American crew from multiple ships gave interviews to TV stations and shared photos on social media pleading to get off the vessels.
While many have now made it to port, there are still 8 ships at sea with 21,506 crew members on board in the US jurisdiction alone, The New York Times reports.
Thousands of crew members were forced to stay on board their vessels even after guests had departed. Stranded American crew from multiple ships gave interviews to TV stations and shared photos on social media pleading to get off the vessels. Melinda Man (left) said she was ‘held captive against her will’ at sea affter she was blocked from disembarking the MS Oosterdam in Los Angeles back in April
While much of the media focused on the plight of passengers on board cruise ships, thousands of crew were left stranded. Crew are seen looking out the window of Holland America’s Rotterdam on April 2 as they remained on board following the evacuation of passengers