Critically-ill patients are taken off coronavirus-stricken cruise ship carrying hundreds of Britons and four dead passengers as it finally docks in Florida after being turned away from multiple ports
- As many as 13 travelers have been rushed to a hospital in ambulances suffering from flu-like symptoms
- They were pictured being taken off the MS Zaandam by hazmat-clad medical officers in Fort Lauderdale
- MS Zaandam and its sister, MS Rotterdam, were allowed to dock after being turned away from 14 countries
- Four people sadly died on the MS Zaandam – two of which had tested positive for coronavirus
- Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis had initially opposed allowing the ships to dock in his state due to sickness
- Holland America, which operates the vessels, has sincerely thanked the US government for its support
Critically-ill passengers have been rushed off a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship carrying hundreds of Britons as it finally docked in Florida after being turned away by 14 other countries.
Travelers were placed on stretchers and hurried to ambulances waiting on the quayside at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, by hazmat-clad medical staff before they were driven to hospitals nearby.
Four passengers on the MS Zaandam died during the cruise, including 75-year-old British passenger John Carter. His widow, 74, who is struggling to eat, has been quarantined on the ship in isolation. Two of those who died had tested positive for Covid-19.
As many as 13 tourists and one crew member have been taken to Broward Health Medical Centre with flu-like symptoms, reports Local10, while 45 passengers on the ship have been told to quarantine on board.
The ship was allowed to dock along with its sister, the MS Rotterdam, on Thursday after President Donald Trump intervened. They are carrying more than 200 Britons and 311 Americans.
There have been nine confirmed cases of coronavirus on the MS Zaandam and more than 200 passengers said they have experienced flu-like symptoms. Those that are healthy were disembarked to the MS Rotterdam.
The 1,211 people on the ships who are healthy will be disembarked and driven to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport before they are flown home to San Francisco, London, Paris and other destinations.
A critically-ill passenger is rushed off the MS Zaandam by hazmat-clad medical workers and placed in an ambulance at Port Everglades, Port Lauderdale, yesterday. The ship was allowed to dock after being turned away by 14 countries
Remaining 1,211 passengers on board that feel well will be disembarked over the next two to three days and taken to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport for flights to their home countries. As many as 311 are American citizens
British passenger John Carter, 75, died on board the MS Zaandam after falling ill on March 22. His widow, who has not been allowed to disembark, is said to not be eating properly. Her family have pleaded for her to be allowed to return to the UK
MS Zaandam and its sister ship MS Rotterdam were allowed to dock at the port after 27 days at sea
A black SUV with Covid-19 Essential Service was also spotted on the quayside at Port Everglades
A passenger is moved by stretcher into an ambulance. They are being taken to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment
A second unwell passenger is taken by ambulance for treatment. Four passengers have died on board – two tested positive for coronavirus, which has caused a global shutdown
An unwell passenger is taken off the MS Zaandam yesterday evening before being transported to a hospital
As many as 45 people have been asked to quarantine on the ships due to symptoms they are showing
Luggage taken off the ship will also be disinfected before it is returned to travelers for their journey home
The hazmat-clad group were pictured preparing the suitcases for disinfection before their journey back to home countries
Deaths from coronavirus in the US have continued to escalate since the outbreak began
Mr Carter’s family desperately pleaded with President Trump to allow his widow to disembark on Thursday.
‘She is struggling to eat the limited meals and is feeling unwell,’ they said. ‘She is obviously distressed and extremely frightened.
‘They were both in good health and did not foresee the terrible situation that has arisen. John became unwell aboard the ship on March 22.’
Florida authorities have said that British nationals, and those from other countries, can fly back home.
Of the 2,426 people on board both vessels, 311 are American citizens. It is unclear whether they will be tested for COVID-19 before returning to their homes.
It may take two to three days for all people to disembark the ships – with priority given to the those requiring medical assistance.
In a statement yesterday, Holland America extended their ‘sincere gratitude’ to President Trump, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for helping to resolve the situation.
‘These travelers could have been any one of us or our families, unexpectedly caught in the middle of this unprecedented closure of global borders that happened in a matter of days and without warning,’ said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America.
‘We are so happy to be able to get our guests home and assist those few who need additional medical services. The COVID-19 situation is one of the most urgent tests of our shared humanity, and we must do everything we can to ensure we continue to act in ways consistent with our common human dignity.
Thursday’s deal comes after Trump urged DeSantis to drop his opposition to accepting the ships. The Governor has expressed concern that ill passengers will take hospital beds away from Florida’s inhabitants who catch COVID-19.
The state is thought to be one of the country’s next coronavirus hot spots, with confirmed cases of the virus surging there in recent days. Florida now has reported over 8,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and on Wednesday the state’s death toll surged 16%.
The MS Zaandam was turned away from docking at all South American ports.
The Zaandam is pictured arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Thursday. The coronavirus-stricken ship is carrying 1,045 passengers and crew
Land at last! The Zaandam is pictured making its way to port shortly before 5pm Eastern Time Thursday
The cruise liner made its way into the Port of Everglades just before 5pm, much to the relief of those on board
The MS Rotterdam is pictured pulling in to port after sister ship Zaandam. The boat is pictured off the coast of Florida ahead of its arrival in the city. 1,381 people are on board the ship
Passengers from the Rotterdam cheer as they head to dock at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale
Rotterdam’s staff members look on as they head to dock at Port Everglades Thursday afternoon
Rescue workers stand by the Zaandam ready to help sick passengers and crew off the ship
Canadian passengers Chris and Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the Zaandam on March 27
PRESIDENT TRUMP INTERVENES: ‘THEY’RE DYING, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING’
During Wednesday’s White House press conference, Trump said of the cruise ships’ passengers: ‘They’re dying, so we have to do something’.
‘It’s a tough situation, it’s a tough situation. You can understand there are people who are sick on those ships and states don’t wanna take them – they have enough problems right now they don’t want to take them.
‘But from a humane standpoint we don’t have a choice. We have to… people are dying. We’re going to do something.’
More than 236,000 Americans have contracted COVID-19, and more than 5,100 have died due to the virus.
Governor DeSantis said Wednesday that he was only interested accepting the 49 Floridians on board.
‘My concern is simply that we have worked so hard to make sure we have adequate hospital space in the event of a COVID-19 surge that we wouldn’t want those valuable beds to be taken because of the cruise ship,’ he stated.
‘Just to drop people off at the place where we’re having the highest number of cases right now just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense,’ the Governor added.
On Wednesday, DeSantis issued a ‘stay-at-home’ order for residents of his state amid the exploding case numbers. He has been criticized for implementing the order too late – with critics
However, his reversal comes amid increasing pressure – not just from the President, but from other Florida politicians as well.
‘It is immoral not to let them come. We need a plan, a healthcare plan, obviously to protect the citizens on the ground and make sure that we test everyone, put them in isolation if necessary,’ Florida Representative Donna Shalala told CNN Thursday.
‘We have to admit them, the sickest ones need to go to our hospitals, and, of course, the hospitals are crowded but we Americans don’t turn people away.’
On Saturday evening, the Rotterdam took on nearly 1,400 people who appear to be healthy from the Zaandam.
The passengers were seen boarding lifeboats at the side of the Zaandam, before making their way across to the Rotterdam which was anchored close by.
After the exercise, 450 guests and 602 crew members remained on the Zaandam.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that that he was only interested accepting the 49 Floridians on board the cruise ships
During Wednesday’s White House press conference, Trump said of the cruise ships’ passengers: ‘They’re dying, so we have to do something’
Florida is one of the nation’s coronavirus hot spots with deaths surging 16% Wednesday. DeSantis says he wants to keep hospital beds for locals
On Saturday, passengers were seen boarding lifeboats at the side of the Zaandam, before making their way across to the Rotterdam which was anchored close by
PASSENGERS BEG THE GOVERNMENT FOR HELP: ‘GET US THE HELL OFF THIS SHIP!’
Passengers have been complaining about deteriorating conditions on board the vessels – with some say they feel imprisoned.
One 80-year-old passenger from San Francisco told The New York Times that he was disheartened by the fact that the U.S. has not been more helpful in the rescue attempts.
‘Jesus Christ, people, this is not the Black Death. What kind of fragile people have we become that we can’t rise up to the challenge?’ he stated via text message.
Passenger Chris Joiner told Canadian broadcaster CBC he had asked the Canadian embassy in Chile for help, saying: ‘Get us the hell off this ship.’
Toronto resident Michael Kasprow said he’s worried about his elderly mother and her friend, both in their 80s, who are stuck onboard. ‘We’ve seen what it can do on a cruise ship, and I just feel like they’re sitting ducks,’ he said.
Another couple spoke of their fears that, even once they dock, they may be stranded away from home due to escalating travel restrictions and flight bans.
‘How will we get home from a port with flights diminishing by the day?’ said Norma Kirkham, 63, from Victoria, Canada. ‘Where will we stay?’
Canadian passenger Anna Joiner is pictured in her cabin onboard the MS Zaandam last week. Many passengers have complained they are ‘imprisoned’ on the vessels, and their chances of contracting coronavirus are growing by the day
CRUISE SHIP CHAOS: THOUSANDS STILL STUCK AT SEA
Last Thursday, more than a dozen crew members from two Costa cruise ships were brought to shore in Miami, before being rushed to the hospital to be tested for coronavirus.
Startling footage saw more than a dozen crew from the Costa Favolosa and the Costa Magica jump into lifeboats in order to reach mainland United States.
The crew members wore hazmat suits and were inspected by medics once they arrived on dry land, and several ambulances were on standby to escort them to hospital.
A company spokesperson said the Costa Favolosa and the Costa Magica are carrying a combined total of 1,939 crew, and there are at least 30 who have come down with a flu-like illness.
The remaining crew from the two boats are still trapped on the vessels, which are anchored outside of Miami, a week on.
The decision to bring in sick crew members divided the Miami community – with many claiming that resources should instead be going to locals, and not to overseas nationals from cruise ship companies.
The decision to bring in sick crew members divided the Miami community – with many claiming that resources should instead be going to locals, and not to overseas nationals from cruise ship companies
More than a dozen crew members from two Costa cruise ships were brought to shore in Miami, before being rushed onward to hospital to be tested for coronavirus
Still stuck: There are 1,926 crew members who remain on board the Costa Favolosa and the Costa Magica, which are both anchored off the coast of Miami for more than a week. They have not been allowed to dock in the city
CRUISE SHIPS AND CORONAVIRUS: OUTBREAKS ON BOARD THE VESSELS
The Zaandam set sail on a two-week voyage from Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 7 – 10 days before the company canceled all voyages over fears of an outbreak – and was due to arrive in Chile on March 21.
The ship had been granted permission to dock in Punta Arenas in Chile but when it arrived on March 14, permission was refused and passengers were prevented from leaving.
It stopped in Valparaiso, Chile, to take on more provisions and fuel but people were ordered to stay on board.
Carnival Cruises, the world’s largest cruise operator which also jointly owns the Zaandam and Rotterdam ships, has said more than 6,000 passengers are still stuck at sea on board its ships.
Including the 2,000-plus on board the Zaandam and Rotterdam, Carnival’s Costa Magica and Costa Favolosa are also stranded at sea near Miami amid negotiations with the US Coast Guard to evacuate passengers.
States and nations have been turning away ships after cases of coronavirus were confirmed on board.
Cruise ships have become particular hotbeds for the virus, with a number of liners being doomed by fatal outbreaks.
In the worst cruise ship crisis so far, 706 people tested positive on the Diamond Princess after Japanese authorities imposed a two-week lockdown in Yokohama.
At least seven people have died after they were taken to hospital from the doomed vessel.
Passengers were confined to their cabins during the lockdown but several countries eventually lost patience with Japan and airlifted their citizens home.
Japan was widely criticised for its handling of the ship, with one disease expert saying the quarantine was ‘completely inadequate’ after viewing the conditions on board.
Japan had initially impounded the ship after a passenger who left the ship in Hong Kong in January subsequently tested positive.
Weeks later another Caribbean Princess ship was struck by an outbreak, when two passengers and 19 crew members on the Grand Princess cruise ship tested positive for coronavirus in early March.
The ship docked in Oakland, California, on March 9 with 3,500 on board and people were repatriated and sent to army bases for quarantine.
Cruise ships still at sea:
Cruise line: Holland America Line
MS Zaandam: 190 ill onboard; 4 deaths
MS Rotterdam: No COVID-19 cases
Most passengers will disembark on April 2 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Cruise line: Princess Cruises
Coral Princess: No COVID-19 cases
Passengers will disembark on April 4 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Pacific Princess: No COVID-19 cases
Passengers will arrives in Los Angeles in mid-April.
Cruise line: P&O Cruises
The Arcadia: No COVID-19 cases
This ship is expected to dock in Southampton, England, on April 12.
Cruise line: Cunard Line
Queen Mary 2: No COVID-19 cases
There are 264 passengers onboard and the ship is heading to Southampton, England.
Cruise line: MSC Cruises
MSC Magnifica: No COVID-19 cases
The ship is heading to Europe
Cruise line: Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Columbus: No COVID-19 cases
The ship is expected to arrive in Tilbury, England, on April 13.
Cruise line: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
MS Europa: No COVID-19 cases
With only crew members onboard the ship is sailing to Barbados and with an expected arrival of April 3.
Hanseatic Nature: No COVID-19 cases
With only crew members onboard, the the ship is expected to arrive in Hamburg, Germany, on April 15.
Cruise line: Carnival Cruises
Costa Magica: Stranded near the port of Miami.
Costa Favolosa: Stranded near the port of Miami.
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