COVID-19: in the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton

Thorax. 2020 Aug;75(8):693-694. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215091. Epub 2020 May 27.

Abstract

We describe what we believe is the first instance of complete COVID-19 testing of all passengers and crew on an isolated cruise ship during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 217 passengers and crew on board, 128 tested positive for COVID-19 on reverse transcription-PCR (59%). Of the COVID-19-positive patients, 19% (24) were symptomatic; 6.2% (8) required medical evacuation; 3.1% (4) were intubated and ventilated; and the mortality was 0.8% (1). The majority of COVID-19-positive patients were asymptomatic (81%, 104 patients). We conclude that the prevalence of COVID-19 on affected cruise ships is likely to be significantly underestimated, and strategies are needed to assess and monitor all passengers to prevent community transmission after disembarkation.

Keywords: ARDS; clinical epidemiology; pneumonia; respiratory infection; viral infection.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Asymptomatic Infections / epidemiology
  • Betacoronavirus / isolation & purification*
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Holidays
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Naval Medicine / statistics & numerical data
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Prevalence
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Ships*
  • Travel*