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SINGAPORE: Quarantine orders have been rescinded for the close contacts of an 83-year-old Royal Caribbean cruise passenger who initially tested positive for COVID-19 but has tested negative three times since, the Health Ministry said Thursday. MOH) (December 10) afternoon.
Quarantine orders had been placed on close contacts of the 83-year-old man as a “precautionary measure” while investigations were ongoing, the Health Ministry added. Close contacts had been identified and tested negative for COVID-19, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said on Wednesday.
A final confirmation test conducted by the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) on Thursday confirmed that the 83-year-old man aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship does not have COVID-19, the Health Ministry said.
READ: 83-year-old cruise passenger tests negative twice for COVID-19 after initial positive result
“The sample taken from the individual this morning was negative for the virus. This follows two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests carried out yesterday by NPHL, one on a retest of its original sample and the other on a new sample taken yesterday, which also came back negative, ”the Ministry said Thursday. of health.
The Health Ministry said Thursday that it would support the laboratory aboard the Quantum of the Seas in its review of its testing processes.
On Wednesday morning, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas ship returned to Singapore a day ahead of schedule after the 83-year-old passenger tested positive for COVID-19 while on board the ship.
The man reported to the ship’s medical center Tuesday night with diarrhea. She was tested for COVID-19 using the PCR test kit on board the ship as part of the protocols, the Health Ministry said Wednesday.
READ: Royal Caribbean cruise passengers disembark from ship where man tested positive for COVID-19
The other cruise passengers were told to isolate themselves in their rooms after the man tested positive. They were allowed to disembark about 12 hours after the ship docked in Singapore.
The Singapore Tourism Board said Wednesday afternoon that ship passengers would undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing before leaving the terminal as part of regular post-arrival protocols.
As a precautionary measure, they are also required to monitor their health for 14 days from the disembarkation date and undergo a swab test at a government-designated swab facility at the end of the follow-up period.
READ: ‘I will definitely go again’: Some Royal Caribbean passengers say they have no regrets going on a cruise that was interrupted by the COVID-19 case
On Wednesday night, Royal Caribbean said it would cancel its Quantum of the Seas cruise on Thursday “in an overabundance of caution.” The decision comes after Royal Caribbean said earlier Wednesday that Thursday’s sailing would proceed as scheduled.
Departures will resume on December 14, Royal Caribbean said in an email Wednesday night.
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