7,000 people have been told they can't leave the ship.
An estimated 6,000 tourists and 1,000 crew members on board a cruise ship in Italy have been placed in lock down over two suspected cases of the deadly coronavirus, reports news.com.au.
The lock down happened on Thursday and a husband and wife from China have been put in isolation on the Costa Smerelda, after they reportedly came down with a fever and breathing problems.
The ship is currently docked in the port of Civitavecchia, near Rome.
Samples from passengers have been sent for testing after a 54-year-old woman from Macau came down with a fever.
Test results are due this afternoon.
The Costa Smeralda, the company’s flagship and the fifth-largest cruise ship in the world, “came from Palma de Mallorca and is currently engaged in one-week cruises in the western Mediterranean,” it said.
The couple flew in to Milan from Hong Kong on January 25, before getting on the cruise, according to Italian media reports.
“The couple’s cabin has been isolated and they are in with the doctors,” an unnamed passenger was quoted as telling ANSA news agency.
“We’re a bit worried of course. No-one is getting on or off the ship apart from the doctors. This holiday risks ending in a nightmare”.
