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Much of the drama in the opening days of the COVID-19 pandemic took place aboard cruise ships (see CDC MMWR: Public Health Responses to COVID-19 Outbreaks on Cruise Ships — Worldwide), where the initial indications of potential airborne spread of the virus was first documented.
While outbreaks aboard cruise ships have continued, they have generally been small, and quickly contained (see CDC Cruise Ship Color Status). Currently the CDC is monitoring 9 minor cruise ship outbreaks and is actively investigating 24.The CDC issued a No-Sail order on cruise ships effective March 14, 2020 due to the risk of introducing, transmitting, or spreading COVID-19, which was extended several times. In late 2020, the CDC released a Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, which led to the resumption of cruise activity from U.S. ports under specific conditions.
Late yesterday the Louisiana Department of Health issued the following press release on a NCL ship, returning to New Orleans this weekend from Belize, Honduras, and Mexico, with an outbreak of at least 10 COVID cases. This is above the threshold that invites a CDC investigation.
This from the Louisiana Department of Health. I'll have a brief postscript after the break.
10 COVID-19 cases identified on approaching cruise shipCDC, state and local authorities working with cruise company to initiate agreed protocolDecember 04, 2021
Baton Rouge, La. - A Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) cruise ship disembarking in New Orleans this weekend has identified 10 COVID-19 cases among its crew members and passengers.
Governor John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Department of Health, the City of New Orleans and the Port of New Orleans are aware and working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to initiate existing COVID-19 agreements and protocols with the cruise line.
The Norwegian Breakaway departed from New Orleans on Nov. 28 and stopped in Belize, Honduras and Mexico on its voyage. There are more than 3,200 individuals onboard.
NCL has been adhering to appropriate quarantine and isolation protocols as new cases and exposures have been identified aboard this vessel. Additionally, every individual aboard will be tested for COVID-19 prior to disembarking, and will be provided post-exposure and quarantine public health guidance by the CDC. Those who test positive for COVID-19 will either (1) travel by personal vehicle directly to their personal residence or (2) self-isolate according to current CDC guidelines in accommodations provided by NCL.
The Louisiana Department of Health, City of New Orleans and Port of New Orleans will continue to keep the public updated should new developments arise.
About the Louisiana Department of Health
The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state residents. The Louisiana Department of Health includes the Office of Public Health, Office of Aging & Adult Services, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Healthy Louisiana (Medicaid). To learn more, visit www.ldh.la.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our blog.
Media Contact:
Aly Neel, Communications Director
(985)231-8066 or aly.neel@la.gov
At this point we have no information regarding the COVID variant involved. Delta, at least based on its current dominance, remains the most likely culprit.
But yesterday we looked at an EID Journal report that showed how readily Omicron defeated Hong Kong's strict Quarantine Hotel protocols. Which suggests that omicron likely poses a greater threat to cruise ships (and other crowded venues) as well.
At some point Omicron will make its way onto a cruise ship, and how easily it spreads in that environment - compared to Delta outbreaks in the past - could provide some quick and valuable data as to Omicrons relative transmissibility.
