7,000 trapped on cruise ship ‘hit by coronavirus outbreak’

The Italian cruise ship, Costa Smeralda, is currently being held at Civitavecchia, Rome, after a Chinese couple onboard came down with a fever, reportedly sparking fears that they had come down with coronavirus

Two passengers on a cruise ship are feared to have caught coronavirus, leaving 7,000 passengers and crew trapped onboard.

Reports in Italy say the couple, from Hong Kong, China, are being tested onboard by experts from Rome’s Spallanzani Hospital, which specialises in infectious viruses and disease.

They are being held in isolation in a hospital ward aboard the ship operated by liner company Costa Crociere. The couple reportedly have a fever as well as breathing problems, both symptoms of the deadly flu-like virus.