Over 85 cruises under CDC investigation after COVID outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Tuesday that they are actively investigating or observing 86 cruise ships after COVID-19 outbreaks on board.
Why it’s important: The Omicron variant has driven up infections across the United States, changed vacation plans and disrupted travel. The new strain is the latest sign of the pandemic’s roof in the cruise industry.
- The industry, which was an early epicenter of coronavirus outbreaks, made a comeback in September, with several preventive measures in place to curb the spread of the virus.
Details: The CDC has begun examining 38 ships, and has already examined 48 additional vessels, which are still “under observation”[ads1];, according to the update.
- The affected cruise lines include Disney, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.
Not worth anything: A further three ships are being monitored by the CDC due to reported COVID infections, although case numbers are below the agency’s threshold for launching an investigation – cases reported in more than 0.10% of passengers or a single crew member in the last seven days.
What they say: “The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and our members … continue to have a very productive dialogue and work with the CDC for the sake of public health and safety, “said Anne Madison, a spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association, in a statement.
- “Many of our members have announced additional measures in response to the Omicron variant, including strengthening testing, masking and other requirements, as well as encouraging booster vaccine doses for those eligible – and some cruise companies require an additional test on board,” she added. .
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new figures from the CDC and commentary from the Cruise Lines International Association.
