January 31, 2020

Anna Murray 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently upgraded the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China to high risk as a global health emergency. Meanwhile, as confirmed infections in China have hiked to 8,000 cases, countries worldwide have been taking drastic measures to quarantine the deadly virus’s spread.

The cruise, the Costa Smeralda of Carnival Corp., was reportedly having a Chinese woman who broke out in a fever on board. Italian health authorities were at first suspicious of the coronavirus symptoms and detained all the 7,000 passengers on the cruise ship in the port of Civitavecchia, north of Rome.

Despite preliminary diagnosis showing negative, 7,000 passengers were held on the cruise ship and feared the Chinese woman and her husband, held in isolation, could be carrying the coronavirus into Italy.

Tensions grew in Chinese communities in Italy while Civitavecchia's mayor had kept authorities to prevent passengers from disembarking until medical tests had been diagnosed and proven negative. Finally, late on January 30, all passengers were allowed to disembark and began getting off after health officials confirmed the tests negative.

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the first 2 infected cases of the new coronavirus—2 Chinese tourists—in Italy. In addition, Italy government had grounded all flights between Italy and China.

Photo:Webshot.