Brazilian health agency Anvisa halts activity of ship with Covid-19 outbreak in Salvador.
With 3,8 people on board, the ship is expected to return to the Port of Santos.
Brazil Agency - The Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has ordered the suspension of activities on the Costa Diadema cruise ship, which is docked in Salvador, due to a COVID-19 outbreak among its passengers. The ship must now return to the Port of Santos, where all passengers and crew must disembark. The ship will then be quarantined and will not operate again.
The measure was taken after the Health Departments of the State of Bahia and the Municipality of Salvador concluded that there was level 4 community transmission of COVID-19 on board the vessel. The Costa Diadema's normal schedule planned for the tour to conclude on January 3rd, but it was interrupted.
Anvisa (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency) also advised that until all travelers have disembarked at their final destination in Santos, everyone on board should pay close attention to protocols for reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Information obtained by the agency indicates that most passengers who tested positive are asymptomatic. According to Anvisa, only a few people have mild symptoms.
"According to the Contingency Plan, the vessel may proceed, subject to onboard restrictions, to the Port of Santos. This means that all non-essential activities on the Costa Diadema must be interrupted and that health and safety protocols must be followed inside the vessel until its final destination in Santos," explained Anvisa.
Currently, there are 3.836 travelers on board, including 1.320 crew members. The ship began its journey in the Port of Santos and its next destination was the Port of Ilhéus, in Bahia. Yesterday's information indicates 68 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 56 among crew members and 12 among passengers.
MSC Splendida
Another ship in a similar situation is the MSC Splendida. It docked at the Port of Santos this Wednesday (29) after reporting new positive Covid-19 tests. 51 crew members and 27 passengers were identified with the disease. 54 contacts were also identified, that is, people who had contact with those who tested positive for the disease.
The epidemiological investigation will determine the level of the epidemiological situation on board the vessel. No further disembarkations or embarkations are permitted until the investigation is concluded.