RAGEDY AT SEA: Famous Vessel Disasters

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Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that 21 people aboard a cruise liner that's being held off the coast of California have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The California Air National Guard had delivered 46 tests to the Grand Princess, which has been offshore since Wednesday. Of the 46 passengers tested, Pence said 21 people, 19 employees and two passengers, had tested positive. Twenty-four tested negative, and one was inconclusive, Pence said.

There are over 3,500 people on board the ship, which is anchored near San Francisco .

All passengers are going to be brought into port within the U.S. over the weekend and tested, said Pence, who is leading the Trump administration's response to the outbreak.

"Those who got to be quarantined are going to be quarantined. those that require additional medical attention will receive it," he said. Officials said crew members are likely to be quarantined aboard the ship, while passengers might be quarantined at military bases.

Pence spoke shortly after President Donald Trump, touring Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, told reporters that he'd rather people be kept on the ship because otherwise they'll increase the country's coronavirus statistics.

"I just like the numbers being where they're . i do not got to have the numbers double due to one ship that wasn't our fault. And it wasn't the fault of the people on the ship either, ok? It wasn't their fault either and their mostly Americans," Trump said. But, he added, he would abide by what Pence and his team of "great experts" decide.

"They would really like to possess the people come off. I'd rather have the people stay. But I'd accompany them. I told them to form the ultimate decision," Trump said.

The ship off California was returning to San Francisco after visiting Hawaii. a number of the passengers remained on board after sailing on its previous voyage, to the Mexican ports of Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

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"It's important to notice that the Grand Princess was actually on its second tour and that we know of coronavirus infections from the primary tour also , with very, very difficult results," Pence said.
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A Sacramento-area man who sailed on the ship in February later succumbed to the coronavirus. Two other passengers from that voyage are hospitalized with the virus in Northern California, and two Canadians who recently sailed aboard the ship tested positive after returning home, officials said.

Pence urged those that are susceptible to the coronavirus, especially the elderly and other people with pre-existing health issues, use "common sense and caution in planning any cruise liner vacation within the future."

Trump was asked about delays in testing round the country, and he suggested the matter had been solved.

"Anybody, right now, and yesterday, anybody that needs a test gets a test," he said. "They're there, they need the tests.”

He then made an odd regard to the call with the Ukrainian president that helped cause his impeachment. "The tests are all perfect. just like the letter was perfect. The transcription, was perfect. This wasn't as perfect as that, but pretty good,” he said.

Pence and therefore the members of the coronavirus task force, speaking within the White House briefing room, said the govt had sent out 900,000 tests in the week , with 200,000 more to be sent Saturday — in need of the 1.5 million tests initially projected to be delivered by the top of in the week . Pence said the expectation was that by the top of next week, another 4 million tests would be shipped.

Trump and Pence also differed on the topic of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who tweeted last month that the administration would be more successful combating the coronavirus "if the Trump administration stuck to science and told the reality ."

Pence visited Washington, the state hardest hit by the coronavirus, on Thursday, and met with Inslee. Pence said they'd been working together "in a seamless way" and Inslee said they need "a excellent partnership" with the federal .

"I told Mike to not be complimentary to the governor because that governor may be a snake," Trump said. "Mike could also be proud of him, but I'm not."

Inslee skilled the president on Twitter.

"My single focus is and can still be the health and well-being of Washingtonians. it is vital for leaders to talk with one voice. I just wish the president and vice chairman could get on an equivalent page," he wrote. "We appreciate the vice president's visit and our teams are working well together."
Image: Dareh GregorianDareh Gregorian

Source : www.nbcnews.com