One Of The First Western Australian Comeback Cruises Reports COVID Outbreak Onboard

A COVID outbreak has been reported onboard a Coral Expeditions cruise ship – one of the first to reenter Western Australia following a lengthy ban.

A dozen cases of the virus were reported onboard the Coral Discoverer ship, including 10 passengers and two crew members, 7 News reported.

The cruise liner, which has 61 passengers and 30 crew members onboard, had just completed a 10-day sailing from Darwin, the news outlet said. The cruise ship is currently docked in Broome in Western Australia’s northwest.

Coral Expeditions spokesman told 7 News that all guests and passengers on the ship were triple vaccinated in accordance with Western Australian Health requirements.

“All of the guests were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms,” the company spokesman added.

According to the Government of Western Australia Department of Health, passengers and close contacts on the ship were being isolated while all passengers and crew were being tested for COVID-19, the Guardian reported.

Cruise ships carrying no more than 350 passengers and crew were allowed to enter Western Australia waters beginning April 17 after being suspended due to the COVID pandemic.

A spokesperson for WA Health said, as reported by the Guardian, “Maritime vessels are permitted to allow positive cases to disembark and move to suitable accommodation to complete their isolation/quarantine requirements. All precautions will be taken to ensure the Broome community is protected.”

Western Australia reported 5,639 COVID cases and one COVID death on Monday, according to WA Health.