One apparent result of the measures cruise lines have taken against covid-19: Outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness have been far lower than in pre-pandemic years.
William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, said that the reduced number of cruises as the industry restarted and the lower concentration of passengers — at least on many lines — would be likely factors in the lower number of outbreaks. But he said covid-19 precautions are “undoubtedly useful” to combating the spread of norovirus, as well.
Norovirus, he said, is “extraordinarily” contagious. Schaffner praised cruise lines for their disinfection practices even before the coronavirus emerged. “Before that happened, the cruise industry under the guidance of the CDC put into place many infection-control activities that they really implemented rigorously,” he said.
Cruise lines have touted enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols since the pandemic began. Royal Caribbean International, for example, says on its website that while hand-sanitizing“And we’re placing them anywhere you’re most likely to use them, near elevators and at exits and entrances to all venues, plus anywhere onboard that doesn’t have handwashing stations or restroom sinks in the immediate area,” the site says.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UPDATES: Tucson-area coronavirus developments, Aug. 29: What we knowThe latest updates related to COVID-19 in Tucson and Southern Arizona.
Read more »
Moderna sues Pfizer, BioNTech over COVID-19 vaccine patentsCOVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna is suing Pfizer and the German drugmaker BioNTech, accusing its main competitors of copying Moderna’s technology in order to make their own vaccine.
Read more »
Government to pause free at-home COVID tests by Sept. 2Time is running out to order free at-home COVID-19 tests after the government said on its coronavirus website that it will pause orders on Sept. 2 or “sooner if supplies run out.”
Read more »
US government’s COVID-19 website to suspend free at-home testsThe U.S. is averaging nearly 89,000 new COVID cases, 5,300 new hospitalizations and 392 deaths daily.
Read more »
Novak Djokovic will miss U.S. Open over vaccination statusTennis star Novak Djokovic cannot travel into the U.S. for the 2022 U.S. Open because he is not vaccinated.
Read more »