Four people in New Zealand who were on board a cruise ship last month are being tested after possible exposure to the Covid-19 coronavirus, the Ministry of Health says.
The Grand Princess cruise ship is one of the largest in the world. It is being held off San Francisco after the death of a passenger in the US. (file photo) Photo: AFP / STRINGER / INTERPRESS
The first person to die from the virus in the US was a recent passenger on the Grand Princess and now 21 people on board are showing symptoms.
The ship is now being held off San Francisco while tests are carried out on passengers.
The Ministry of Health said the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had notified it that eight New Zealanders were on the ship between 11 and 21 February. All eight had returned to New Zealand.
- If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs)
The ministry said public health officials had spoken to seven of them this afternoon and completed interviews. Four were well and were outside the isolation period so posed no risk of Covid-19.
Three others were assessed as needing to be tested. One of those three was already in medical care at North Shore Hospital and appropriate testing and public health actions were under way.
Contact tracing for close contacts of this person has also commenced as a precaution, including some health care staff.
One person was still to be spoken to.
Read more about the Covid-19 coronavirus:
- Covid-19: What you need to know
- Coronavirus: latest updates
- Timeline: virus's spread across the globe
- Scientific hand-washing advice to avoid infection
- Coronavirus patient 'never really felt unwell'
- More Covid-19 news
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield reiterated earlier comments that New Zealanders should be vigilant about monitoring their health, especially those who have recently returned from overseas travel where they may have come into contact with Covid-19.
"When people are unwell, they should stay away from work and school, and not attend events.
"If they are displaying symptoms of Covid-19 they should seek medical advice by either calling Healthline on 0800 358 5453, or ensuring they ring their medical centre ahead of visiting in person," Dr Bloomfield said.
More details will be provided at the Ministry of Health media conference on Saturday afternoon.