Coronavirus Kills 4 Aboard Holland America Cruise Ship

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on March 31, 2020

As the COVID-19 virus continues to devastate countries all over the world, hundreds of cruise ship passengers have been struggling to get home for weeks after being turned away from most ports-of-call due to fears of spreading this deadly disease even further. For example, Holland America’s Zaandam has reported 193 cases alone, including 4 deaths, with 117 crew members and 76 guests experiencing “flu-like” symptoms.

Afloat at sea for 23 days and counting, the Carnival-owned cruise ship originally set sail from Buenos Aires on March 7th, on what should have been a 2-week trip to Chile. After being denied entry to multiple ports, it seems as though, however, that good news is on the horizon. Panama’s Ministry of Health made a decision this past Saturday to finally grant passage through their canal – an about-face from their stance just a week ago. The country had initially declined entry to the luxury liner, citing the same concerns as other nations. Healthy passengers have since been tested & transferred to the awaiting Rotterdam, another Holland America cruise ship that was dispatched to the area in order to aid the Zaandam during their coronavirus crisis.

Florida has quickly become one of the newest “hot spots” for COVID-19, and with both ships now en route to their final destination in Fort Lauderdale, local and state authorities are scrambling for solutions to their newest issue: What do we do with these healthy and sick people once they’ve docked? According to local news reports, commissioners within Broward County will meet Tuesday (today) to discuss their plan of action. Governor Ron DeSantis recently stated that “passengers cannot be dumped in his state,” claiming that most of them are tourists and non-residents.

At the time of this writing, the current number of Floridians infected with COVID-19 has surpassed 5,700, with recorded 71 deaths across the state. Here at the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A., we are diligently monitoring the media for updates, as well as completely complying with all CDC rules & guidelines. As our day-to-day life continues to change, rest assured that we will always be there for our clients, friends, and families. Be safe everyone – we will get through this together.

Sources:

• Four dead on Carnival-owned cruise ship amid new coronavirus outbreak aboard
• ‘God Knows How Many People We Infected’: New Rules Aim to Get Exposed Passengers Home
• Florida coronavirus cases pass 5,700, with 71 deaths statewide

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.