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Cruise Ship Refused by Other Ports Anchors off Cambodia

Associated Press

   SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA - A cruise ship turned away by other Asian and
   Pacific governments because of virus fears anchored Thursday off
   Cambodia, which is checking the health of its 2,200 passengers and
   crew.

   The Westerdam was unwelcome elsewhere even though operator Holland
   America Line said no cases of the COVID-19 viral illness have been
   confirmed among the 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members on board.

   The ship is anchored a kilometer (0.6 miles) from the main
   Sihanoukville port in the Gulf of Thailand and a team of health
   officials will conduct checks and determine the disembarkation process,
   Preah Sihanouk province Gov. Kouch Chamrouen told The Associated Press.

   About 20 passengers have reported stomachaches or fever, Cambodian
   health officials said. The ship's health staff considered them to be
   normal illnesses, but the ill passengers were being isolated from
   others, Health Ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine said.

   A military helicopter is on standby to carry samples from passengers to
   the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh for analysis.

   She said if tests show any passengers have the disease, they'll be
   allowed to get treatment in the country.

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