Grand Princess passenger returning to Henderson to self-quarantine

The city of Henderson announced Wednesday that a resident who may have been exposed to COVID-19 while on the Grand Princess cruise ship is returning to self-quarantine at home.

The city announced the passenger’s return via social media without specifying the vessel, but city spokeswoman Kathleen Richards told the Review-Journal the passenger was on the Grand Princess.

Grand Princess, which docked Monday in Oakland, California, had 21 people on board who tested positive for COVID-19.

Gov. Steve Sisolak wrote to the 49 Nevada passengers aboard a cruise ship saying they’ll be brought home if they’re asymptomatic, which all are thus far, undergo testing for coronavirus infection and can safely self-quarantine for 14 days.

“Gov. Steve Sisolak is working with federal authorities to bring this person home under strict guidelines aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of Henderson residents,” the city’s statement said. “… We are continuing to work closely with authorities to protect our community and remind you to continue to wash your hands often, disinfect surfaces, and stay home if you’re ill.”

The whereabouts of the Nevada residents were not known late Wednesday and it was unclear when they would be flying home.

Disembarking will be a “multiple day process,” Princess Cruises said in an update on its website. As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, 1,406 people out of a total of 3,533 passengers had disembarked.

The company’s media office didn’t have an update Wednesday on how many passengers have disembarked since then.

Of the 21 people on the ship who tested positive for COVID-19, two are guests and 19 are crew members, according to Princess’ website.

The two affected guests disembarked Monday, and they — along with their travel companions — were transferred to local hospitals, according to the company.

Crew members who tested positive “have been deemed asymptomatic and were not disembarked from the ship,” the company wrote in a 2:40 p.m. update Tuesday on its website. “These crew members are currently in isolation in their individual cabins.”

“Plans for a crew quarantine are still being determined,” Princess Cruises wrote in an email Wednesday to the Review-Journal.

American passengers from the cruise ship — not including the asymptomatic Nevadans who are returning home — are being taken to Travis Air Force Base in Solano County, California; Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego; Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas; or Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia, to complete the 14 day quarantine period.

“Additional information on the destinations for international guests will be provided once confirmed by international government agencies,” Princess Cruises said on its website.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Julie Wootton-Greener at jgreener@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2921. Follow @julieswootton on Twitter.