Two cruise ships that returned to San Francisco after their voyages have a multitude of passengers infected with COVID-19.
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The San Francisco Department of Public health reported 143 passengers tested positive on the Ruby Princess' San Francisco to Hawaii cruise and 73 passengers on the ship returning to San Francisco from Panama tested positive, according to the Mercury News.
Passengers were not notified about the COVID-19 cases spreading on board and there were no screening tests to ensure passengers without symptoms were not infected, the newspaper reported.
Cruise ships continue to have outbreaks with the contagious virus circulating. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said there are 100 cruise ships traveling in the COVID-19 ship program and currently 52 are under investigation for outbreaks.
The San Francisco Department of Public health said all staff and passengers on the Ruby Princess’ Panama Canal and Hawaii trips were 100% vaccinated and only one person from the Hawaii trip was hospitalized, the paper said.
"When cases are identified because of the testing onboard, cruise ship protocols help to maximize onboard containment with rapid response procedures designed to safeguard all other guests and crew as well as the communities that the ships visit," Princess Cruises told the Mercury News.
CDC guidelines for cruise ships require 95% of guests need to have a poof of vaccination at least two weeks before the trip, with the exception of kids under 5 who are not eligible. All staff has to be vaccinated and boosted and all travelers have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before getting on the ship, the newspaper reported.
San Francisco health officials also require cruise lines to provide onshore housing and transportation for those passengers and crew that test positive, the Mercury News said.
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