Majestic Princess Sydney: cruise ship docks in Circular Quay with 800 Covid infected passengers

A cruise ship carrying 800 Covid-infected passengers has docked in Sydney.

The Majestic Princess arrived at Circular Quay around 06:00 on Saturday with 3,300 guests and 1,300 crew.

Those on board affected by the virus were isolated in their rooms, but were allowed to leave the ship after the uninfected passengers disembarked.

Passengers were told that if they were infected they would have to arrange private transport so they could isolate at home, but it is not necessary for positive cases to self-quarantine after mandatory isolation was lifted on October 14.

Ambulance crews waited nearby as the cruise ship docked with the first wave of uninfected guests leaving the ship wearing face masks.

NSW Health has rated the ship as a ‘tier three’ Covid risk level, which is the highest tier on a cruise ship meaning there is a ‘high level of transmission’.

Nearly one in four guests has been infected with the virus, making it the largest outbreak on a cruise ship since the Ruby Princess in 2020, leading to more than 600 positive cases and 28 deaths.

It comes as Australia enters its fourth wave of Covid with infections expected to skyrocket as the new BQ.1 and XBB strains become the dominant variant.

Professor Robert Booy, an infectious disease expert, allayed concerns by saying Australia was better equipped to deal with new outbreaks.

“The advice is to either go get a booster and, if you do get COVID-19, get that antiviral as soon as you can, if you qualify… It can stop the virus that’s in it,” he said. he. told Channel Nine’s Today.

‘Most people have acquired immunity against both infection and vaccination and a combination is called a hybrid, which is really very strong.’

Vacationer Sharon Leslie and her husband Steven said cruise ship workers acted quickly when the first passengers became infected.

“We felt safe most of the time… they were cleaning all the time,” said Mrs. Leslie.

“It’s just disappointing for the cruise industry … and it kind of ruined things by the end.”

While Covid infections have risen in Australia recently, former deputy medical chief Dr Nick Coatsworth declined to talk about the latest wave, saying it’s time to ‘move on’ from the pandemic.

Passengers aboard the Majestic Princess who were not infected were told to wear face masks when disembarking.

Princess Cruises confirmed that some guests had tested positive during the 12-night voyage to New Zealand.

“These guests are mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic and are isolated in their staterooms,” the company said in a statement.

“We have been proactively preparing for and dealing with cases of Covid-19 and continue to work closely with NSW Health, including adhering to their guidelines.”

Rules for cruise ships on the East Coast state that those who test positive on board must “isolate for five full days from the date of their positive test result.”

Those on board who tested positive received medical care, while those who disembarked first have already had a rapid antigen test.

Stuart Allison, senior vice president of Princess Cruises, said the company helped positive cases arrange transportation and accommodation so they could isolate themselves.

“We have also put in place a series of strict and robust measures to ensure that our guests and crew are safe, and to limit the exposure of current cases in the community,” she said.

It comes after NSW Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant urged Australians to make sure they were up to date on their vaccinations.

She said a “fourth wave” of Covid infections was sweeping the country, but the number of infections would drop in a few weeks.

‘The [new Covid] wave ascends with a certain course, it will be quite a steep wave and hopefully the drop will be just as steep,” Dr. Chant to the ABC.

“That’s why it’s important that the community takes these protective measures now and I can’t emphasize the urgency – if you want to get vaccinated, do it immediately.”

Ms Chant added that she expects the fourth wave of Covid to subside before December 25.

“The wave may peak before Christmas and we may be waning,” she said.

Cases have risen in NSW, Victoria and Queensland with the Sunshine State recommending masks be worn in some indoor settings.

The state also advised residents to test every two days if they live with someone who has tested positive for Covid.

The ABC’s chief health correspondent, Dr. Norman Swan, said Australia was “into the next wave” and grimly warned of further deaths.

‘[Cases are] going, Victoria and NSW 20 percent in the past week, South Australia 27 percent, Tasmania 40 percent,” he told RN Breakfast on Friday.

“It’s very difficult at this point to tell the death statistics, unfortunately they will follow.”

But dr. Coatsworth has urged Aussies to “move on” from the pandemic, while Deakin University epidemiology chair Catherine Bennett said “being anxious isn’t the answer” when it comes to an influx of infections.

“Go on and do your normal things,” she told Daily Mail Australia.

‘Panic never helps in my opinion. Being aware of changing risks and responding to them and managing them is the best thing you can do.’

Professor Bennett acknowledged that residents should be aware of the latest wave.

“We’re seeing numbers, especially hospitalizations, rising across the country,” she said.

“We know from data from abroad that adding Covid variants to the mix increases transmission rates. What it means for individuals is that their exposure risk increases.’

Professor Bennett said it was important that residents listened to the advice of health professionals, got their booster, but didn’t make drastic changes in their lives.