News on the Westerdam

[*Miss G*]

3 minutes ago, vkuehne said:

Quick question to the Westerdam (ex-) passengers. I found threads on Twitter today, where a couple of people tried to warn and get more info because one of their friends had been confined to their cabin, after pneumonia was diagnosed by x-ray in the ship's medical center. Those exchanges started on Feb 13, you can see them by searching for pneumonia and @Halcruises on Twitter.

 

One passenger confirmed that people onboard knew about the pneumonia case. 

 

Is this true? 

 

Could you please clarify why you ask?  People get pneumonia all the time so the reason for your question is not clear to me.  Thank you.

[vkuehne]

18 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Could you please clarify why you ask?  People get pneumonia all the time so the reason for your question is not clear to me.  Thank you.

 

HAL said repeatedly that everyone onboard was healthy and there was no indication for coronavirus. Pneumonia obviously is one of the signs. 

[*Miss G*]

1 hour ago, vkuehne said:

 

HAL said repeatedly that everyone onboard was healthy and there was no indication for coronavirus. Pneumonia obviously is one of the signs. 

 

I guess not so “obviously” or I wouldn’t have asked.  But thanks for answering.

[dado123456]

Didn't 83 yr old passenger husband diagnosed with pneumonia in Malaysia?

It might be him.

He's clear from Covid-19, BTW

[vkuehne]

4 minutes ago, dado123456 said:

Didn't 83 yr old passenger husband diagnosed with pneumonia in Malaysia?

It might be him.

He's clear from Covid-19, BTW

 

Maybe. I'm not interested in the identity of the passenger, but I'm curious if it was known onboard that someone was confined to their cabin for pneumonia. 

[durangoscots]

I would think that the man with pneumonia would have been one of the 20 whose samples were sent to lab.... but of course there is no way of knowing. In any case, her husband is testing negative for Covid-19. I have to wonder how widespread the virus is in the untested population anywhere.

[Seavoyage]

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Oh my!  I guess they will have this book on the top of many bookstore displays, especially in airports.   I will have to add it to my Kindle and read it on our next cruise 🙂

 

Hank

 Better get one of these too!  https://www.filtersfast.com/p-RZ-Mask-M2-Black-Mesh-Mask.asp?kpid=M2+Mesh+Black+43651+-+Large&fsrc=G1F5F&optid=2785&gclid=Cj0KCQiAs67yBRC7ARIsAF49CdXksBGdAAsd6-7Zav43saaILbiwFvkyVWPboUqAVu--PCzD0GoMTd4aAlTHEALw_wcB

 

[dado123456]

A good and informative article

https://www.otandp.com/blog/wuhan-virus-the-distinction-between-a-disease-and-an-epidemic?hs_amp=true

[jakeconmag]

I just hopped on David Abel's FB page and he just posted that they now believe they DO NOT have the virus.  

"Sally and I waited 8 hours in the cabin to be transported to a hostel. We are still on the ship!

They do NOT send folk with the virus to a hostel!

Massive communication error yesterday. The Japanese quarantine officials to not speak any English. They came to our door & told us to be ready to be taken to the hostel. My mindset was ‘virus’ and said ‘positive then’. He nodded.

I don’t think he was saying yes to the virus but positive we were moving out??

He followed up by saying it will probably be just 4 or 5 days. You would not say that to a virus victim.

The consulate in Tokyo are being very good with me. I am being listened to and Sally & I feel really well.

I will get more info out when I know what’s happening. Thank you for your love and concern.

Sally & David xx"

[T8NCruise]

7 minutes ago, jakeconmag said:

I just hopped on David Abel's FB page and he just posted that they now believe they DO NOT have the virus.  

"Sally and I waited 8 hours in the cabin to be transported to a hostel. We are still on the ship!

They do NOT send folk with the virus to a hostel!

Massive communication error yesterday. The Japanese quarantine officials to not speak any English. They came to our door & told us to be ready to be taken to the hostel. My mindset was ‘virus’ and said ‘positive then’. He nodded.

I don’t think he was saying yes to the virus but positive we were moving out??

He followed up by saying it will probably be just 4 or 5 days. You would not say that to a virus victim.

The consulate in Tokyo are being very good with me. I am being listened to and Sally & I feel really well.

I will get more info out when I know what’s happening. Thank you for your love and concern.

Sally & David xx"

 

Thanks for the update.

[hal2008]

 Are these tests done on DP pax same as those beong done on Westerdam pax in combodia?

 

dont know why Japan is still taking so long and doing so few?

[colbe]

4 hours ago, Seavoyage said:

 Better get one of these too!  https://www.filtersfast.com/p-RZ-Mask-M2-Black-Mesh-Mask.asp?kpid=M2+Mesh+Black+43651+-+Large&fsrc=G1F5F&optid=2785&gclid=Cj0KCQiAs67yBRC7ARIsAF49CdXksBGdAAsd6-7Zav43saaILbiwFvkyVWPboUqAVu--PCzD0GoMTd4aAlTHEALw_wcB

 

Does it come in pink or lilac?

[newtocruiseinblue]

[BarbarianPaul]

Great!

[dillpickle48]

Fantastic news.

[dado123456]

TOP NEWS: Health Ministry announces results of 781 remaining Westerdam passengers' health tests

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald ) - The Ministry of Health on February 19, 2020 announced that the remaining 781 passengers' health checkups on both the Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville are free from coronas. No (Covid-19) no, and now stakeholders are facilitating them to leave Cambodia. According to a statement from the Ministry of Health that the Fresh News Network received earlier this morning, February 19, 2020.

The Ministry of Health declaration states:

* 781 Westerdam ship passengers in Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh were all tested negative for new coronavirus (COVID-19).

* The general health condition of all passengers is not noticeable, it is normal and no fever.

* The date of the ship's departure from Hong Kong is 19 days from 19 February to 2020.

Based on the above results, the Ministry of Health and the Sihanoukville Provincial Health Department are working in cooperation with relevant national and international agencies to facilitate the rest of the passengers to be able to continue on their return flight as soon as possible. Meet family, work and daily life in their respective countries.

(google translate)

http://www.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/148797-2020-02-19-02-37-39.html

Edited February 19, 2020 by dado123456

[dado123456]

More than 100 Westerdam tourists left Cambodia last night

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) - More than 100 Westerdam cruise liners on the night of February 18, 2020, from 31 countries left Cambodia on their respective flights, according to Phnom Penh International Airport officials. Last night, after a medical checkup, the condition was normal.

 

http://www.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/148801-2020-02-19-03-26-25.html

[dado123456]

Minister Sun Chanthol and the Westerdam Ship Director by helicopter fly to Sihanoukville to reach the final 233 tourists

(Phnom Penh) - Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol along with Westerdam ship director Orlando Ashford flew by helicopter from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville to provide a total of 233 finalists. People.

A total of 233 tourists will travel by bus to Phnom Penh to continue flights at Phnom Penh International Airport to their respective countries. The crew of the ship will be heading back to Westerdam.

In the afternoon of February 18, 2020, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia allowed Mr. Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America Line, the owner of the Westerdam, to pay a courtesy call and congratulate. Multiplication at the Peace Palace.

(google translate)

 

http://www.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/148810-2020-02-19-03-58-46.html

[dado123456]

And the latest one (15 minutes ago):

 

A total of 233 passengers from WESTERDAM have left for Phnom Penh to fly to their respective countries after their Covid-19 examination.

(Sihanoukville) - A total of 233 tourists aboard the WESTERDAM ship at noon on 19 February 2020 are leaving on 10 buses to Phnom Penh to continue their flights to Phnom Penh. Their respective countries, tomorrow, have all been tested positive for Covid-19 virus.

At Sihanoukville International Port, Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol, Mr. Orlando Ashford, Westerdam Shipyard Director, Ministry of Health and Preah Sihanouk Provincial Officers, and several other officials were involved. Welcome and welcome to all 233 tourists.

A total of 747 crew members will return to Westerdam on the ship back to the Philippines. This was confirmed by Minister of Public Works and Transport Minister Sun Chanthol.

According to Minister Sun Chanthol, for the remaining 500 tourists will travel to their respective countries on February 20, 2020.

In the afternoon of February 18, 2020, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia allowed Mr. Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America Line, the owner of the Westerdam, to pay a courtesy call and congratulate. Multiplication at the Peace Palace.

 

(google translate)

 

http://www.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/148840-2020-02-19-06-05-42.html

 

[Wehwalt]

Mr and Mrs Abel are positive for the virus after all, which they've conceded after speaking with an English-speaking doctor.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/feb/19/coronavirus-outbreak-updates-coronavirus-live-updates-hubei-deaths-china-wuhan-outbreak-japan-diamond-princess-china-business-death-toll-latest-news

 

I am glad that Cambodia's, and HAL's decision to allow passengers to leave the ship in Sihanoukville has been validated by the clearance of the remaining passengers. I wish them safe flights home.

Edited February 19, 2020 by Wehwalt

[dado123456]

...He added that for the last of the 233 WESTERDAM tourists who left Sihanoukville, arrived at Phnom Penh at about 7 pm because they were too tired to perform their show but on the day Tomorrow will be performing for him from 4pm.

According to Thong Khon, with information from Orlando's chairman Westerdam, tomorrow evening, more than 400 Sokha hotel guests will fly to destinations in some countries to visit their respective countries. 

(google translate)

 

http://www.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/148908-2020-02-19-15-33-34.html

Edited February 19, 2020 by dado123456

[hal2008]

Question for people with more knowledge of the topic

 

Is exactly same diagnostic test (rRT-PCR) used by USA, Singapore, Japan, Combodia?

 

Seems like time to get results is significantly longer in Japan then elsewhere.

And how come Japan can test only few dozens at a time when Combodia finished 700+ in 2 days

[bcummin]

And I would like to know if Malaysia used the same test as the other countries.

Thank you.

Barbara

[kazu]

30 minutes ago, hal2008 said:

Seems like time to get results is significantly longer in Japan then elsewhere.

And how come Japan can test only few dozens at a time when Combodia finished 700+ in 2 days

 

I think you are referring to Diamond Princess?  They were running out of testing kits continuously.

Japan was testing about 300 people per day on the Diamond Princess until very recently.  That is why the coronavirus numbers increased.  

 

Japan has no infectious disease control centre.  They had to send them away most likely.  I watched an interview with a doctor who is a specialist in diseases (he worked on SARS, MERS, etc.) and he was horrified by conditions on Diamond Princess.  There was NO ONE on board with knowledge on this stuff.  All done by bureaucrats and as he put it “housekeepers and wait stuff performing the duties”.  He said the crew should have been quarantined too.  He had pull so somehow used his connections to get on the ship.

 

He was kicked off when he started asking questions and why the red zones and green zones weren’t marked and where were they.  He said he was seriously worried about getting the virus.

[T8NCruise]

Regardless of who did what, right or wrong, the cruise industry as a whole is taking a huge hit, and it will take a very long time for them to recover from this.