A Macau woman and her companion who reportedly flew to Italy from Hong Kong last Saturday are being isolated aboard a cruise ship at an Italian port amid fearst hey could be infected with the novel coronavirus – as around 7,000 other passengers have been placed on lockdown as a precaution, AFP and RTHK reported today.
Samples from the two passengers were sent for testing after three doctors and a nurse boarded the Costa Crociere ship in the port of Civitavecchia to tend to a woman running a fever, the local health authorities said today.
A spokesperson for the ship said a 54-year old woman from Macau "was placed in solitary confinement in the on-board hospital last night with her travel companion", and the crew was following instructions from the Italian Health Ministry.
The couple flew in to Milan from Hong Kong last Saturday, before getting on the cruise at Savona in northern Italy, according to Italian media reports.
"The couple's cabin has been isolated and they are in with the doctors," an unnamed passenger was quoted as telling Italy’s ANSA news agency. "We're a bit worried of course. No-one is getting on or off the ship apart from the doctors. This holiday risks ending in a nightmare".
The ship had been due to sail for La Spezia in north Italy last night (local time), but would be detained in the Civitavecchia port near Rome "until we have an update on the health tests," the reports quoted harbor master Vincenzo Leone as saying.
There are some 750 other Chinese passengers on board, who all appear to be in good health, media reports said.
