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SINGAPORE: Protocols taken after a Royal Caribbean cruise passenger initially tested positive for COVID-19, before testing negative twice, highlight the “robustness” of the system, Commerce Minister said Thursday (Dec. 10) and Industry, Chan Chun Sing.
Speaking to reporters at a virtual press conference after a visit to the Alice Lee Center for Nursing Studies at the National University of Singapore, Chan added that the incident has allowed the cruise industry to “test” protocols.
“From yesterday’s experience, it shows the robustness of the system that once you discover that there is a positive, be it a real positive or a false positive, you immediately take action to perform the subsequent tests, do isolation, contact tracking “said Mr. Chan, when asked about the incident.
“So while yesterday may have turned out to be a false alarm, it has actually allowed the cruise industry to test all the protocols to see how we can do this well and do it better.”
On Wednesday morning, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas ship returned to Singapore a day ahead of schedule after an 83-year-old passenger tested positive for COVID-19 while on board the ship.
READ: 83-year-old cruise passenger tests negative twice for COVID-19 after initial positive result
The man reported to the ship’s medical center Tuesday night with diarrhea. She was tested for COVID-19 using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kit on board the ship as part of the protocols, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.
After returning to Singapore, the man’s original sample was retested at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and a second sample was taken for confirmatory testing.
Both samples were negative, the Health Ministry said Wednesday night.
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: Royal Caribbean cruise passengers disembark from ship where man tested positive for COVID-19
Chan said that any test for COVID-19 carries the inherent possibility of a false positive or false negative result.
“Any test, be it PCR or any other test, there will always be a small chance that there is a false positive, and that varies between different tests. Also, there can be a false negative, it is inherent in any test,” he added.
“This is why we need a series of protocols to make sure we minimize the risk to a minimum.”
He noted that protocols for the cruise industry include a pre-boarding test, an on-ship test while sailing, as well as the use of the TraceTogether and CCTV system for contact tracing. A combination of testing and contact tracing is needed to minimize risk “to a minimum,” Chan said.
The minister also emphasized the need for people to be vigilant.
“Whether in the cruise industry or whatever we do, we must never let our guard down. Never think that just because we rely on a particular method, whether testing or tracing, we would have overcome the problem.” he said.
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
“Even when the vaccine arrives … and is available, we must continue to have a rigorous testing and monitoring regimen to complement the other parts.
“These different parties must come together so that we can minimize risk as low as possible to keep our population as safe as possible in different types of activities.”
On Wednesday night, Royal Caribbean said it decided to 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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