Dream Cruises ship returns to Singapore after passenger tests positive for COVID-19

SINGAPORE — Three days after it set off from Singapore on a cruise to nowhere, a Dream Cruises’ ship has turned back after a suspected COVID-19 case was identified on board.

In a statement on Wednesday (14 July), Singapore Tourism Board (STB) spokesperson Annie Chang said the 40-year-old passenger aboard the World Dream cruise ship was identified on Tuesday as a close contact of a confirmed case on land.

He was immediately isolated as part of onboard health protocols. He then tested positive after undergoing COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. He had tested negative during the mandatory pre-departure Antigen Rapid Test conducted on Sunday.

The passenger has been conveyed to hospital for further confirmatory testing.

Chang added that as part of onboard health protocols, the passenger’s three travelling companions were identified and isolated. They have tested negative for COVID-19 and further contact tracing is ongoing.

All leisure activities on board the World Dream have ceased, with passengers asked to remain in their cabins until confirmatory testing results are out and contact tracing is complete.

The ship is also undergoing a thorough disinfection process.

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