TY - JOUR T1 - COVID-19: in the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton JF - Thorax JO - Thorax SP - 693 LP - 694 DO - 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215091 VL - 75 IS - 8 AU - Alvin J Ing AU - Christine Cocks AU - Jeffery Peter Green Y1 - 2020/08/01 UR - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/75/8/693.abstract N2 - We describe what we believe is the first instance of complete COVID-19 testing of all passengers and crew on an isolated cruise ship during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 217 passengers and crew on board, 128 tested positive for COVID-19 on reverse transcription–PCR (59%). Of the COVID-19-positive patients, 19% (24) were symptomatic; 6.2% (8) required medical evacuation; 3.1% (4) were intubated and ventilated; and the mortality was 0.8% (1). The majority of COVID-19-positive patients were asymptomatic (81%, 104 patients). We conclude that the prevalence of COVID-19 on affected cruise ships is likely to be significantly underestimated, and strategies are needed to assess and monitor all passengers to prevent community transmission after disembarkation. ER -