Health inspections did not stop Princess Cruises passengers from falling sick often even before the Grand Princess and Diamond Princess coronavirus outbreaks.
Princess Cruises had a health problem long before back-to-back outbreaks of the new coronavirus on the Diamond and Grand Princess ships unmoored the entire cruise industry.
Dr. Chris Taylor, a former cruise ship physician, researched five years of CDC inspections and found the scores had no value in informing the public about the risk of illness spreading on a ship. After being informed of the concern by loudspeaker announcement, passengers were still permitted to don formal attire for an evening meal featuring lobster tail. By morning, a letter had been pushed under their cabin doors explaining that only a few people needed to stay in their rooms, an initial isolation later expanded to all passengers.
“We’ve been asked, and we’ve asked ourselves, why COVID-19 seems to be impacting Princess so heavily,” she said. “We don’t really know.” The current system of cruise safety inspections is aimed at preventing stomach bugs, rather than an influenza-like illness like the new coronavirus, which is suspected of spreading widely by air. But many of the preventive measures are the same, such as scrupulous hand cleaning and tracing the contacts of anyone sickened.
USA TODAY reviewed about 4,100 inspections conducted across the cruise industry through the so-called Vessel Sanitation Program since 2010, looking at both the scores behind the ship’s overall passing score and details of cited deficiencies. By then, U.S. health authorities were aware of a problem not yet announced to passengers: Authorities in California were tracking several coronavirus cases involving passengers on the previous Grand Princess voyage – with exposure to some still onboard. They reported an elderly man’s death on Wednesday.
In a ship cafe after dinner, Michelle Saunders, 23, sipped hot cocoa with her grandmother. She had been impressed throughout the cruise by how attentively the crew were wiping down handrails and elevator buttons.A letter delivered overnight to passenger’s rooms offered details. Princess Cruises’ chief medical officer Grant Tarling explained the CDC was investigating a “small cluster” of coronavirus cases connected to the previous voyage.
The Grand Princess has never failed a CDC inspection. Nor has any Princess ship on its last inspection before an outbreak. As of March 9, when the Grand Princess was finally able to dock in Oakland, California, cruise ships had begun rolling out temperature screenings before boarding.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
This is the plan for Prince George and Princess Charlotte now their school has closedThey will follow in the Queen's footsteps
Consulte Mais informação »
Prince George and Princess Charlotte Will Be Homeschooled Amid COVID-19 PandemicThe young royals will be 'palace' schooled starting on March 20.
Consulte Mais informação »
Monaco Grand Prix Postponed After Prince Albert Tests Positive for COVID-19The Monaco Grand Prix -- one of the most famous F1 races in the world -- has been postponed ... hours after Prince Albert tested positive for COVID-19.
Consulte Mais informação »
This Spring’s Big Royal Family Reunion Has Been Called OffPrincess Beatrice's wedding has become a small ceremony with “a small group of family and friends.”
Consulte Mais informação »
Princess Beatrice's wedding plans in flux due to the coronavirus outbreakThe princess, the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was set to marry her fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on May 29.
Consulte Mais informação »
Prince Beatrice's Wedding Reception Has Been CanceledPrincess Beatrice and her fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have canceled their wedding reception due to the ongoing coronavrius situation.
Consulte Mais informação »