Grand Princess extends stay at Oakland as more people test positive

Xinhua | Updated: 2020-03-13 08:58

Passengers aboard the cruise ship Grand Princess look out from their balconies as the vessel docks at the Port of Oakland while authorities prepare for passenger debarkation after 21 people on board have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus in Oakland, California, US March 9, 2020. [Photo/Agencies]

SAN FRANCISCO - The coronavirus-striken Grand Princess cruise ship will extend its stay at the port of Oakland until Sunday, as more people have tested positive for COVID-19, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom.

It remains unclear how many people have tested positive in addition to the already known 21 positive cases on the ship. As the governor said, "That information is coming in real time."

The cruise ship carrying thousands of passengers docked at the port of Oakland on Monday after being held off at sea for days. As of Thursday noon, 2,042 people had disembarked from the ship.

"I support extending the stay of the Grand Princess because the operation has proven to be safe, meticulous, and at no risk to our residents," said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. "The duration has changed but the mission is the same to ensure the safety of Oakland."

Plans for the crew quarantined are still being determined.

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