Crewman Dies On NJ Ship Where 27 Tested For Coronavirus (UPDATE)

UPDATE: No one on the ship tested positive for the coronavirus.

NEW JERSEY — A crew member on the cruise ship that was investigated for the coronavirus in New Jersey this weekend was found dead on the vessel, and officials are awaiting autopsy results, according to the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the death, saying it is "deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, and our hearts go out to the family during this difficult time. We will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement in their review of the matter."

The crew member's death was unrelated to the investigation of four people who were hospitalized on Saturday because of the coronavirus threat, according to the cruise line. The four were among 27 who arrived on a cruise ship in New Jersey this week whose test results were negative, officials say.

NBC4 reported that the crew member was found in an engine room last weekend and his body was kept in a refrigerated compartment until the ship docked in New Jersey, according to NBC4.

News12 reported that the male crew member’s body was found when he did not report for his scheduled shift after the ship docked in St. Lucia on Feb. 2. When Anthem of the Seas docked in Bayonne, the local police took possession of the body, according to the report.

"We can confirm that local authorities were immediately notified after a crewmember who did not report for work was found deceased. We cooperated fully with law enforcement in their investigation and have been advised the death was non-suspicious," according to another statement from Royal Caribbean.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, permitted the four individuals from the cruise ship who were hospitalized to be discharged. Three of those individuals who stayed in the same cabin were diagnosed with the flu, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said.

"The other individual stayed in a separate cabin and did not have any symptoms. All four passengers tested negative for novel coronavirus. New Jersey currently has no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and the risk to residents remains low."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had ordered the four individuals to be evaluated at a New Jersey hospital to make sure that they do not have the coronavirus, the state Department of Health told Patch on Saturday. The other 23 passengers were cleared.

Royal Caribbean, the cruise line that had a total of 27 passengers tested for the disease when it docked in Bayonne on Friday, issued a statement that said the coronavirus tests conducted by the CDC will push the next departure date of its vessel to Monday.

The company said the CDC would need the next 24-48 hours to complete the tests.

"As we advised, if you no longer want to sail, we completely understand. You’ll receive a full refund," the company said. "You do not need to do anything to cancel, no need to call or contact us for this, as we want to make it as easy for you as possible."

Royal Caribbean said any questions about possible reimbursements can be made via RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com

"If you do not show up to the pier on Monday, we will understand that you decided not join us and we will automatically process your refund. You should see it on your account 3-5 days after our updated departure."

In a statement on Friday, Murphy said CDC representatives boarded the Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked in Bayonne and initially screened 27 passengers who recently traveled from mainland China.

After being assessed by the CDC, 23 of those passengers were cleared and four were transported to a hospital for further evaluation, he said.

"The hospital is following proper infection control protocols while evaluating these individuals," Murphy said. "New Jersey currently has no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, and the risk to residents remains low.”

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship with the passengers who fell ill docked around 6 a.m. in Bayonne, according to WABC-TV. The report said the four who were being evaluated were transported to University Hospital in Newark.

The news also comes days after New Jersey's first mandatory quarantine related to the new coronavirus took place at Newark Liberty International Airport, authorities said. Read more: Newark Airport Sees NJ's First Mandatory Coronavirus Quarantine

Also, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have identified the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey as among several military installations near 11 major airports that could house quarantined patients.

The federal health department will be responsible for all care, transportation and security of the people, according to a Department of Defense statement. If anyone falls ill, procedures are in place to transport them to a local civilian medical facility, the DOD said.

Authorities in New Jersey, meanwhile, say they are taking "every precaution necessary" to ensure residents are protected against the coronavirus, even as students at one college were ordered to "self-isolate" over fears that the disease could spread in the Garden State.

Students and staff at Princeton University returned from mainland China over the last 14 days, and have been classified as "high" or "medium" risk, were ordered to "self-isolate." They are not allowed to attend classes or school events. Read more: Princeton U. Students To 'Self Isolate' Over Fears Of Coronavirus

New Jersey, meanwhile, is recommending that anyone should voluntarily "self-quarantine" from the public while the disease is being closely monitored by the CDC.

Currently, there are 31,400 confirmed cases globally and more than 640 deaths. About 150 cases have been confirmed across 25 other countries, and there are at least 11 confirmed cases in the U.S.: Washington, Arizona, Massachusetts, Illinois (two) and California (six), according to the state Department of Health.

“Outbreaks like this — when a new virus is emerging to infect people — are always concerning,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli. “The situation poses a serious public health threat, but the risk to New Jersey residents remains low, and our level of preparedness is high.”

Here are nine things to know about new coronavirus' risk in New Jersey and how the state is dealing with the threat:

• So far, no cases have been confirmed in New Jersey. Two possible cases of the virus were investigated but were cleared; one was at Hackensack University Medical Center, and the other was at an unknown location.
• New Jersey employees and students are considered at high risk if they've traveled to Wuhan/Hubei Province in the past two weeks and have been in close contact with someone confirmed with the virus, or while the person was symptomatic or visiting, living with or caring for someone confirmed with the new coronavirus.
• "Close contact" is defined as being 6 feet or within the room or care area of someone with the new coronavirus for a prolonged period, the NJDOH says.
• The Department of Health recommends that such people voluntarily self-quarantine for two weeks from their last exposure and should contact their university/health center, employer or local health department to arrange for active monitoring during this time.
• Murphy signed an executive order that establishes the Coronavirus Task Force to coordinate all state efforts to appropriately prepare for and respond to the public health hazard posed by the disease.
• Murphy also noted that Newark Liberty International Airport will serve as one of 11 major airports in the United States authorized to receive flights from China that require enhanced entry screening for the new coronavirus. Read more: Coronavirus: Feds Funnel Planes From China To Newark Airport
• Anyone who has traveled to China in the last 14 days and feels sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should seek medical care right away. The CDC said symptoms of the new coronavirus may appear in as few as two days or could take as long as 14 days after exposure.
• Most coronaviruses cause mild respiratory illnesses, similar to the common cold, and a fever. Some can be more severe, such as SARS and MERS, health officials say.
• More information on the virus can be found nj.gov/health/coronavirus.