The Health Ministry has confirmed that the Royal Caribbean cruise passenger, who previously tested positive for the coronavirus on the ship, does not have COVID-19.
The fourth and final test was conducted today, a day after the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship returned to Singapore earlier than expected and after medics found that an 83-year-old Singaporean man had tested positive for the coronavirus following complaints of diarrhea.
“A final confirmatory test conducted by the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) on 10 December 2020 has confirmed that the 83 year-old male Singaporean on board Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas does not have COVID-19 infection,” the ministry said in its daily COVID-19 update. “The sample taken from the individual this morning came back negative for the virus.”
The ministry no longer required the elderly man’s close contacts to be on quarantine and will review the testing process on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
“We have rescinded the Quarantine Orders of his close contacts, who had earlier been placed on quarantine as a precautionary measure while investigations were ongoing. MOH will support the laboratory on board the Quantum of the Seas in its review of its testing processes,” it said.
Cruise operator Royal Caribbean said it welcomed the Health Ministry’s finding and wished its “guest a speedy return to health.”
“We appreciate the guidance of the government and we will continue to work with them to refine our protocols, which are designed to protect the health and safety of our guests, crew and the Singapore community,” its statement said.
Singapore reported six new COVID-19 cases today, all of which involved individuals from abroad. This pushes the total number of reported coronavirus cases to 58,291. The death toll stands at 29.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with Royal Caribbean’s statement.
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