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One passenger and 26 crew members aboard a Carnival cruise ship tested positive for COVID-19, although all of them were fully vaccinated, according to the Belize Tourism Board.
The Carnival Vista left Galveston, Texas, and made a stop in Belize City. According to statements from Carnival given to the Washington Post, the cruise line said it was "managing a small number of positive cases on board" and did not disclose the total number. The official number was confirmed by a statement from Belize tourism officials, the Associated Press reported.
"Carnival Vista is managing a small number of positive COVID cases that surfaced on the cruise that returned to Galveston last Saturday, despite all our crew and almost all of our guests being vaccinated," the statement to the Post read. "Several announcements have been made to guests currently on board to keep them updated."
The company has added a requirement for all passengers, regardless of vaccination status, to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of boarding. The policy goes into effect on August 14.
The outbreak aboard the Carnival Vista is among the highest number of cases reported on a ship sailing from the U.S. since cruises resumed.
The Belize Tourism Board said in a statement that the Belize Ministry of Health and Wellness inspected the ship, according to USA Today.
"We are pleased to inform that our personnel from the Ministry of Health and Wellness also carried out an inspection of the protocols on board the Carnival Vista this morning and are satisfied that they have been able to verify that the measures put in place by the ship are meticulous and deemed highly effective," the statement said.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
The Carnival Vista is carrying over 1,400 crew and nearly 3,000 passengers, the Belize Tourism Board said in a statement. The ship arrived Wednesday in Belize City.
All 27 were vaccinated, had mild or no symptoms, and were in isolation, according to the statement. The tourism board said 99.98 percent of the ship's crew was vaccinated, as well as 96.5 percent of its passengers.
The Washington Post reported Carnival said it announced last week that there were positive cases on board.
Carnival is requiring passengers to be vaccinated, though there are exceptions for children and people with medical issues. The cruise line said in a statement on August 4 that passengers must wear a mask in certain indoor areas.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on its website that it had investigated the Carnival Vista and the ship remains under observation.
