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A suspected Covid-19 case was discovered on board a Dream Cruises ship.

Turned back slightly ahead of time

A passenger on board the ship told CNA that it was announced around 1am that a guest had tested positive for Covid-19. All activities on board were stopped and passengers were also asked to return to their rooms.

The ship was originally scheduled to return at 9am on Wednesday, but turned back earlier, arriving at Marina Bay Cruise Centre at around 6:30am.

In response to Mothership's queries, Annie Chang, Director (Cruise) from the Singapore Tourism Board said that the passenger was identified as a close contact of a confirmed case on land on July 13, and was immediately isolated as part of onboard health protocols.

All passengers asked to remain in cabins

The passenger underwent Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests onboard and tested positive. The passenger, who tested negative during the mandatory pre-departure Antigen Rapid Test on July 11, has been conveyed to the hospital for further confirmatory testing.

Chang said that as part of onboard health protocols, the passenger’s three travelling companions were identified and isolated. They have tested negative for Covid-19 and further contact tracing is ongoing.

Passengers have been asked to remain in their cabins until the confirmatory testing results are out and contact tracing is complete, Chang added.

Dream Cruises told Mothership that only essential service crew with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are allowed limited movement within the ship, including the delivery of meals and necessities to guests in their respective staterooms.

Dream Cruises statement

In a statement shared with Mothership, Dream Cruises said that the ship’s Outbreak Prevention and Response Plan protocols, including its cleaning and disinfection procedures, had been escalated to its highest level.

For instance, cleaning and disinfection has been initiated for all areas and venues, including areas that the reported guest had visited while on board the ship.

All on board public areas and staterooms are also undergoing cleaning and disinfection at a higher frequency, including wiping and fogging (where applicable) using hospital grade disinfectant, especially on frequent touch points and surfaces.

Dream Cruises said that their subsequent 2-Night cruise departing tonight (July 14) has been cancelled and they are in the process of informing our guests.

Due to these unforeseen circumstances, guests may refer to their original booking source for options, including a transfer cruise or future cruise credit.

They will also continue to provide further updates should there be any new developments.

Previous case

Previously, in December last year, a Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas had turned back to Singapore after a 83-year-old passenger on board was confirmed to have Covid-19.

The ship left Singapore on Dec. 7, and had finished its second day at sea before the news broke.

It was later discovered that the case was a false positive.

Top photo via Dream Cruises.