A cruise ship was docked in isolation in northeastern Brazil after 2 passengers were found to have symptoms resembling Coronavirus (COVID-19), local authorities said. On Thursday, March 12, the Brazilian state of Pernambuco’s health secretariat decided to keep the cruise ship with 318 passengers and 291 crew onboard in isolation in the capital of Recife.
The name of the cruise ship was not released, but photographs showed Silver Shadow - luxury liner owned by Silversea.
Some passengers had disembarked before the decision to block the vessel. Brazil’s health authorities asked tour agencies to facilitate their return. Authorities prevented additional passengers from leaving.
The first traveller suspected of having the Coronavirus was a 78-year-old man displaying respiratory problems. Officials said he was taken from Silver Shadow to a private clinic for treatment and testing. The second case was reported on Friday, March 13. The guest had a fever and difficulty breathing and was moved to a private health unit onshore.
The result of the tests is due to indicate whether the passengers are placed into quarantine.
The Bahamas-flagged ship sailed in from Salvador, where she docked on March 10. Silver Shadow also visited Rio de Janeiro on March 6, Buzios on March 5, Itajai on March 3.
For other Silver Shadow accidents and incidents see at the ship's CruiseMinus page.
For Coronavirus updates on cruise ship quarantines (infected passengers and crew) and top-pandemic countries (COVID-19 cases and deaths, daily updated statistics) see at CruiseMapper's Norovirus page.