Ten Covid cases detected on cruise ship having thousands on board

A US health authority said that 10 Covid cases were detected among crew and passengers of a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. The ship has thousands on board and was returning to New Orleans.

"The Norwegian Breakaway departed from New Orleans on Nov. 28 and stopped in Belize, Honduras and Mexico on its voyage," the Louisiana Department of Health tweeted Saturday.

"There are more than 3,200 individuals onboard."

Health department said that every individual aboard would be tested for Covid before they disembark.

"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 (US Centers for Disease Control) guidelines in accommodations provided by NCL," the health department tweeted.

The global cruise industry has taken a severe hit during the pandemic. 

In February 2020, when little was known about the new coronavirus, a cruise ship named "Diamond Princess" was quarantined off Japan.

More than 700 people on board tested positive for Covid-19 and 13 died, with Japanese authorities heavily criticised for insisting passengers and crew stay on the boat, where the virus continued to spread.

Cruise operations in the US were suspended in March 2020 when the CDC issued a "no sail order" to prevent the spread of Covid. 

Some cruise ships resumed operations in Europe and elsewhere last year, but the ban remained in place in the United States.

After a year of crippling losses, cruise industry giants resumed trips from the US in May this year when the CDC gave the green light to allow trips with passengers and crew who are vaccinated.

Canada lifted its ban on cruise ships in its waters last month.

(With inputs from agencies)