03/03/2020

Amid coronavirus outbreak, a number of passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship tested positive for the flu. According to the cruise line, however, none of the sick passengers were suspected of being infected with the coronavirus.

Royal Caribbean’s spokesperson said, “On the February 8-20 voyage of Grandeur of the Seas, medical staff notified the CDC that an elevated number of guests and crew had a flu-like illness or tested positive for influenza A or B and were placed in isolation, according to medical protocol.” 

None of the 82 patients met the CDC criteria as a person under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19, and the CDC did not request coronavirus tests for any of the cases. None of the patients had transited regions of impact, or been exposed to anyone in the regions of impact, within 14 days of symptom onset.”