UK health officials are preparing to receive a group of around two dozen people from a cruise ship affected by a virus situation abroad, with plans to place them in controlled hospital isolation facilities previously used during the Covid-19 response.
The group includes approximately 24 British nationals made up of passengers and crew, alongside two individuals from Ireland.
Authorities have confirmed that none of those expected to arrive are currently showing symptoms linked to hantavirus.
Officials stressed that precautionary measures are being taken due to public health concerns rather than active illness among the group.
“In line with advice from the UK Health Security Agency, on arrival they will be taken to a managed setting for clinical assessment and testing,” NHS England North West and NHS Cheshire said.
A joint statement involving NHS England North West, NHS Cheshire, Wirral Council, as well as local ambulance services and police, explained that the individuals would initially remain under observation for 72 hours.
After that period, authorities will decide on further isolation arrangements depending on medical assessments.
An internal email seen by AFP indicated that the group, about 24 people in total—would be taken to Arrowe Park Hospital in northwestern Wirral.
The facility has previously been used for quarantine operations, including the reception of evacuees from Wuhan in China and passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship during the early stages of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
