Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Arrives In New Orleans After COVID-19 Cases Were Discovered

A Norwegian Cruise Line ship has arrived in New Orleans after health officials were informed that at least 10 passengers and crew members were infected with COVID-19.

The Norwegian Breakaway ship, which traveled to Belize, Honduras and Mexico, docked on Sunday morning. Officials attempted to disembark the ship without further spreading the virus.

A reported 10 people tested positive for COVID-19 out of the more than 3,200 people on board.

“We are testing all individuals on Norwegian Breakaway prior to disembarkation, as well as providing post-exposure and quarantine public health guidance by the (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),” Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement.

All of the people who tested positive for COVID-19 did not experience symptoms of the virus. Those infected with the virus will be required to self-isolate in accommodations provided by the cruise line or travel home in a personal vehicle.

“We take this matter extremely seriously and will continue to work closely with the CDC, the office of Governor John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Department of Health as well as the city and port of New Orleans,” the company stated.

Some of the passengers on the ship were not informed about the positive cases while they were on board. Wade Berry, a passenger, told CNN he didn’t learn about the situation until his sister sent him a statement released by the New Orleans mayor’s office.

Another person revealed he learned about the positive cases after hearing a local news outlet discussing the matter.

The Norwegian Breakaway left New Orleans on Nov. 28 and was scheduled to return on Sunday. As they were disembarking, passengers were also given a COVID-19 test to take at home in three days.