New Coronavirus Case Found Among 4,000 Passengers on China-Vietnam Cruise

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] It has been reported that three passengers on a cruise ship operating routes between China and Vietnam, carrying over 4,000 people, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). It is known that a large number of residents from Hubei Province, the virus epicenter, were on board the cruise ship, raising concerns about secondary infections.

On the 4th, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) cited an anonymous doctor, reporting that at least three confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus were found on the cruise ship 'World Dream,' which traveled between China and Vietnam at the end of last month. Two confirmed cases and two suspected cases who boarded the cruise ship in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province are receiving treatment, and one person from Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, who also boarded the cruise ship, was confirmed positive for the novel coronavirus on the 1st. Thus, at least three infections have been confirmed so far.

The ship departed Guangzhou Nansha Port on the 19th of last month for a 5-night, 6-day itinerary, stopping at famous tourist destinations in Vietnam such as Da Nang, Halong Bay, and Nha Trang. Among the 4,482 passengers, there were 28 passengers from Wuhan and a total of 108 residents from Hubei Province. The Zhaoqing health authorities, where confirmed cases occurred, urged another 41 Zhaoqing residents who boarded the cruise ship to self-quarantine or contact health authorities if they develop a fever.

According to the cruise company’s announcement and reports from the state-run Nanfang Daily, the Nansha Disease Prevention and Control Center measured the temperature of all passengers on the last day of the trip and conducted additional tests on those with a fever, all of whom tested negative. However, concerns about secondary infections remain high. It is known that the cruise ship returned to Nansha Port on the 24th of last month and immediately departed for Hong Kong with about 600 passengers on board.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.