Australia’s Cruise Ship Nightmare | 101 East

How did one cruise ship become the single largest source of COVID-19 infections in Australia?

As the pandemic gathered speed and the world went into lockdown in March, the Ruby Princess continued sailing.

Management were well aware of the risks but as the virus silently spread, passengers were reassured there was nothing to fear and the party continued.

When the ship docked weeks later in Sydney, at least 850 people had been infected. They walked straight out into the community.

101 East investigates how the Ruby Princess became an incubator for infection, leaving its passengers and staff dangerously exposed.

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In This Story: COVID-19

Covid-19 is the official WHO name given to the novel coronavirus which broke out in late 2019 and began to spread in the early months of 2020.

Symptoms of coronavirus

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

  • a persistent new cough (non productive, dry)
  • a high temperature (e.g. head feels warm to the touch)
  • shortness of breath (if this is abnormal for the individual, or increased)

Latest News about Covid-19

Below are stories from around the globe related to the 2020 outbreak of novel Coronavirus – since the WHO gave the Covid-19 naming. Most recent items are posted nearest the top.

5 Recent Items: COVID-19

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In This Story: Lockdown

During the 2020 Covid-19 epidemic, lockdown has come to mean the practice of attempting to control transmission of the virus by means of restricting people’s movement and activities on a broad scale, usually on a national or state-wide basis.

3 Recent Items: Lockdown

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In This Story: Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess is a Crown-class cruise ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises. The Ruby Princess was built in 2008 by Fincantieri in Trieste, Italy, as a sister ship to Crown Princess and Emerald Princess. She was turned over to Carnival Corporation and Princess Cruises in late October 2008.

5 Recent Items: Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess passengers win class action over COVID outbreak on cruise | ABC News

Ruby Princess passengers victorious in class action lawsuit | 9 News Australia

Ruby Princess passengers win class action | 9 News Australia

Princess cruise ship hits port while docking | GMA

The Majestic Princess has arrived in Circular Quay with 800 COVID positive passengers | 7NEWS

In This Story: Sydney

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia‘s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design.

  • Population: 5.23 million (2018)

3 Recent Items: Sydney

Sailors rescued after Sydney Harbour yacht collision | 9 News Australia

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