Coronavirus: Artania cruise ship crew tested after death of passenger in WA
The German cruise ship Artania has another 25 crew members who are being investigated for possible coronavirus infection.
The German cruise ship Artania has another 25 crew members being investigated for possible coronavirus infection, after nine already tested positive.
The news closely follows the death of one Artania passenger, a German tourist in his 60s, who died in hospital after being taken off the ship a week ago. He was the third person to die of COVID-19 in Western Australia.
The state had 22 new cases overnight, nine of them from the Artania. It confirms that WA cases have a high proportion of cruise ship-related infections but a declining number of positive tests among other West Australians.
Health Minister Roger Cook said “in excess of 25 crew” out of about 400 remaining foreign crew members were being taken off the Artania on Friday night. “They will not necessarily go to hospital but to a (quarantine) hotel,” he said.
“Some have tested positive and others are symptomatic. It goes to show we have a very dynamic and potentially dangerous situation.”
State Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson said 13 crew members were tested on Thursday night and seven had returned positive tests, with others being retested.
He said 49 people from the Artania had tested positive to coronavirus, with one death. Five were in hospital.
The German ship was ordered by Australian Border Force officers to leave Fremantle, but it has requested to stay until April 14.
It is undergoing a deep clean and the remaining crew are being isolated in their cabins.
“In a few more days, if satisfied there is no more spread, the ship can leave,” Dr Robertson said.
The Artania was not scheduled to visit Perth as part of its 140-night round-the-world cruise. It went to South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Darwin, Brisbane and Sydney, then was meant to go to Peru and New York before returning to Germany.
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