The coronavirus fears on an Italian cruise ship subsided as the initial tests of a woman, who earlier showed symptoms of the virus, came back negative, according to media reports on Thursday.
Owned by Italian Costa Crociere company, the ship, carrying around 6,000 passengers, docked at Italy’s western city of Civitavecchia after one of the passengers fell ill with a high fever, according to Italy’s ANSA news agency
The couple from Hong Kong “were tested by experts from Rome’s Spallanzani Hospital, which specializes in infectious diseases and viruses,” the news agency said.
The woman, who is also suffering from respiratory problems, was held in isolation in a medical room aboard the ship.
According to the news agency, her partner did not show any symptoms, but he was isolated as a precaution.
Although the initial tests of the woman came back negative, ANSA said, the final results of the tests would come in 24 hours.
Italian newspaper Repubblica reported that Civitavecchia Mayor Ernesto Tedesco did not grant permission to evacuate the ship despite local authorities at Civitavecchia Port Vincenzo Leone's announcement that evacuation could begin.
All the passengers, including 751 Chinese, have been ordered not to leave the ship, it added.
A total of 27 Turkish nationals are also among the passengers stuck on the cruise ship, the Turkish Embassy in Rome told Anadolu Agency.
Situation under control
The couple arrived in Italy’s Milan’s Malpensa Airport on Jan. 25 and boarded the ship earlier this week.
Costa Crociere said the "situation on the vessel was under control", according to ANSA.
“Our trip has had a nightmare ending," the news agency quoted a passenger as saying.
The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which originated in Wuhan city, the central Hubei province in China, caused at least 170 deaths while more than 7,700 others were infected with the virus which is said to have transmitted to humans from animals, particularly bats.
The virus has raised alarm globally with cases reported across Asia, Europe, the U.S., and Canada.
Travelers from China are being screened for the virus at airports worldwide. Several airlines have suspended flights to Wuhan.
The World Health Organization (WHO)'s emergency committee will reconvene on Thursday, the third time in a week, to evaluate the risks ahead for an international emergency.
