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.

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