A person aboard the American Constellation wears a mask as the ship arrives late Monday afternoon at the downtown cruise docks. A cluster of COVID-19 cases associated with the ship has reached 10. All known cases in the cluster are isolating. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

A person aboard the American Constellation wears a mask as the ship arrives late Monday afternoon at the downtown cruise docks. A cluster of COVID-19 cases associated with the ship has reached 10. All known cases in the cluster are isolating. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Cruise ship COVID cluster reaches 10

Public Health: Risk of exposure to the public is low

There are now 10 confirmed cases associated with a coronavirus outbreak on board the American Cruise Lines vessel currently docked in Juneau.

The first three positive tests occurred July 9, while the American Constellation was in Petersburg, City and Borough of Juneau said in a news release. Those three people and their close contacts remain in Petersburg to isolate.

Since then, seven additional people have tested positive, according to CBJ. All 162 passengers have returned home, per the company’s policy, while the rese of the 52 crew members have stayed aboard. Some members of the crew are unvaccinated.

While seven more people have tested positive, not all the positive results have come in Juneau, according to CBJ. Four tested positive while in Juneau and are included in the city’s case counts.

CBJ Emergency Operations Center, working with Juneau Public Health and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, will be retesting all people still aboard on Thursday, according to CBJ

The potential risk of exposure to the public from those quarantining or isolating on board the vessel is low, according to CBJ. The American Constellation will remained docked in Juneau until next week.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Dec. 22

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Maria Laura Guollo Martins, 22, an Eaglecrest Ski Area employee from Urussanga, Brazil, working via a J-1 student visa, helps Juneau kids make holiday decorations during the resort’s annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade gathering on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Foreign students working at Eaglecrest trade Christmas Eve traditions for neon lights and lasagna

26 employees from Central and South America are far from family, yet among many at Torchlight Parade.

An aerial view of L’áan Yík (Channel inside or Port Camden) with cars and people gathered on the bridge over Yéil Héeni (Raven’s Creek) during a May 2024 convening on Kuiu Island. Partners that comprise the Ḵéex̱’ Ḵwáan Community Forest Partnership and staff from the Tongass National Forest met to discuss priorities for land use, stream restoration, and existing infrastructure on the north Kuiu road system. (Photo by Lee House)
Woven Peoples and Place: U.S. Forest Service’s Tongass collaboration a ‘promise to the future’

Multitude of partners reflect on year of land management and rural economic development efforts.

The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)
New Xunaa Borough gets OK in published decision, but opponents not yet done with challenges

State boundary commission reaffirms 3-2 vote; excluded communities likely to ask for reconsideration.

Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders listen to comments from residents during a forum June 13 about proposed cuts to some services, after officials said the reductions were necessary to keep the hospital from going bankrupt within a few years. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett rebounds from years of losses with profits past six months; staffing down 12% during past year

Hospital’s balance sheet shows dramatic bottom-line turnaround starting in May as services cut.

A street in a Mendenhall Valley neighborhood is closed following record flooding on Aug. 6 that damaged nearly 300 homes. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Flood district protection plan faces high barrier if enough property owners protest $6,300 payments

Eight of nine Assembly members need to OK plan if enough objections filed; at least two already have doubts.

Sunset hues color the sky and the snow at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Feb. 26, 2024. The University of Alaska system and the union representing nearly 1,100 faculty members and postdoctoral fellows are headed into federal mediation in January. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
University of Alaska-faculty contract negotiations head for federal mediation

Parties say they’re hopeful; outcome will depend on funding being included in the next state budget.

The newly named Ka-PLOW is seen with other Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities equipment in Juneau in a video announcing the names of three local snowplows in a contest featuring more than 400 entries. (Screenshot from Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities video)
Newly named DOT snowplows probably won’t visit Juneau neighborhoods until after Christmas

Berminator, Salt-O-Saurus Rex, Ka-PLOW selected as winners in contest with more than 400 entries.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read