Two more MSC Orchestra passengers test positive for Covid-19 – full statement

Two more passengers who were on board the MSC Orchestra have tested positive for Covid-19. This is in addition to the Newcastle woman who was on board from March 13 to March 16, and the Free State man who was on board from February 28 to March 2.

Travel agents informed MSC Cruises late Friday afternoon (April 3) that two passengers, who were on board the Orchestra when it departed Durban Harbour on March 16 on a four night luxury cruise to Mozambique, are also positive for the virus.

MSC said, in a written statement, that it had communicated on Saturday with all the passengers who were on the cruise (which departed on March 16), to inform them that fellow passengers had tested positive for coronavirus, in line with the accepted medical protocols.

Click here to read MSC’s full statement

“The two passengers had travelled independently of each other,” said MSC. “The results of both passengers were communicated to MSC Cruises South Africa 14 days after disembarkation, by the passengers’ travel agent.”

However, none of its 929 crew members have shown any flu-like symptoms during the past 14 days, according to MSC.

Responding to questions about the ship departing a day after President, Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster and announced travel restrictions, MSC stated that none of the restrictions ‘prohibited the legal and rightful departure of MSC Orchestra the following day’.

It went on to say, “The President said that 35 of the country’s ports of entry would be shut from Monday, March 16, and that two of the country’s eight seaports would be closed for passengers and crew changes. No specific ports were named. The address to the nation ended after 9pm.”

“The two passengers had travelled independently of each other,” said MSC. “The results of both passengers were communicated to MSC Cruises South Africa 14 days after disembarkation, by the passengers’ travel agent.”

However, none of its 929 crew members have shown any flu-like symptoms during the past 14 days, according to MSC.

Responding to questions about the ship departing a day after President, Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster and announced travel restrictions, MSC stated that none of the restrictions ‘prohibited the legal and rightful departure of MSC Orchestra the following day’.

It went on to say, “The President said that 35 of the country’s ports of entry would be shut from Monday, March 16, and that two of the country’s eight seaports would be closed for passengers and crew changes. No specific ports were named. The address to the nation ended after 9pm.”

MSC says it worked with Port Health and SAPS to screen passengers who boarded the ship on March 16, ensuring no person who boarded the ship had travelled to a high risk country with 14 days prior, no person who boarded the ship had any flu-like symptoms including fever, all baggage was disinfected before being allowed on board, and sanitation procedures were followed for all passengers prior to embarkation. From these processes, 11 people were turned away from the ship.

Last week, the company made contact with the passenger from Newcastle who tested positive and reported that ‘she has fully recovered and is in good health’. It was unable to obtain contact details for the passenger from the Free State.

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