At least 21 people are infected with the novel corona virus on the “Grand Princess” cruise ship, which has stopped off the coast of California. US Vice President Mike Pence said the next step would be to test all people on board and to quarantine them if they were infected.
Also on board is Kari Kolstoe, a retiree from the US state of North Dakota, as the Reuters news agency writes. The 60-year-old has cancer in the fourth stage and wanted to take a break with her husband – after 18 months of constant cancer treatment.
“It is very worrying”
But the prescribed quarantine on board the cruise ship could now have devastating effects for Kolstoe. The 60-year-old should start her next chemotherapy in her hometown Grand Forks on Monday.
“It’s very worrying,” Kolstoe told Reuters. “I’m worried that I won’t get home quickly enough.” Not only missing the chemotherapy worries the woman. The corona virus can be fatal, particularly for older, weakened people. “I am exactly in this risk group,” she says. Staying on the ship is not a good idea for several reasons.
Poor communication
Kolstoe thanked the cast for their work, but adds: “We only found out about the positive tests on board on TV.” It was only 20 minutes later that the captain informed the passengers on the ship. In addition to poor communication, there would be many other problems on board. Because of her cancer, she urgently needs medication. She also only has dirty clothes.
She used to love cruising. Now she has changed her mind. “It’s a risk I won’t take in the future.”
So far, at least 21 people have been infected with the novel corona virus on a cruise ship stopped off the coast of California. (Video: storyful)
(for / sda)
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