Utah Residents Abroad Dealing With Effects Of Coronavirus Outbreak
Feb 13, 2020, 6:41 AM | Updated: Feb 17, 2020, 10:06 am
A worker wearing a mask and a protective suit operates a forklift to load boxes containing food to the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at Daikoku Pier (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Multiple Utah residents have been impacted by the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Westerdam, a cruise ship that was denied port entry by five countries over virus concerns, has finally docked in Cambodia. The passengers include a couple from Bountiful, Steve and June Gulbrandsen.
Those aboard the ship are currently undergoing blood tests for the coronavirus. There have been no confirmed cases on the Westerdam so far.
Officials have also confirmed 44 new cases of the virus on a quarantined ship in Japan where two Utah couples are on board.
Melanie Haering, of Tooele, posted on Facebook that her husband, John, is being transported to a hospital in Tokyo. She said John is feeling better, but he needs proper care to “find out about this virus.”
Update:: We got a call from one of the ships medical team and they have decided to transport John to a hospital. I have no idea which one he will be at. Even though he felt better, he needs the proper care to find out about this virus. It’s hard being separated from him and as soon as I hear more information, I will pass it on. We appreciate the overwhelming love and prayers that have been offered on our behalf. Believe me, we can feel them
Posted by Melanie K Haering on Wednesday, February 12, 2020
She also posted that “it’s hard being separated from him.”
John Haering has been battling a high fever for several days, and it finally broke Wednesday. He’s been seen by three doctors in the past 24 hours on the ship, but he has not been tested for coronavirus.
The other couple on the same ship, Mark and Jeri Jorgensen from St. George, have been allowed on deck after being confined to their windowless cabin.
Japan’s health ministry has confirmed the first coronavirus-related death in the country.
The victim was a woman in her 80s who had been treated at a hospital near Tokyo.
The number of deaths at the epicenter of the virus in China has now spiked to more than 1,300. There are currently more than 60,000 people infected worldwide. The World Health Organization warned that in spite of a stabilization last week, the outbreak could get worse.
