Latest Update:

Carnival Crew COVID-19 Case Confirmed in Mississippi

Carnival Cruise Lines received results Wednesday, March 25, confirming that a crew member on board the Carnival Freedom tested positive for COVID-19. The ship sailed from Galveston on March 8 and returned on March 14. On that same day, it sailed with crew only to Gulfport, Miss., where it remains docked.

Galveston Wharves received confirmation of the COVID-19 case the afternoon of Thursday, March 26. Port staff immediately contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, which is the local authority on port coronavirus response. The Coast Guard confirmed that they were contacted about the case on Wednesday and that no action was needed by the Port of Galveston.

Per its protocols, port staff immediately notified members of its infectious disease response team and is gathering additional information to determine what, if any, additional measures the team may recommend. The team is made up of federal, state and local governmental agencies, including those mentioned below.

The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Galveston County Health District, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have absolute authority during any public health incident, including issues related to any infectious disease. These agencies dictate the protocols, and the port follows them.

In an effort to combat spread of the COVID-19 outbreak and ensure port safety, we are following our Galveston County Health Department (GCHD) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations by taking the following actions:

Enforcing social distancing
Deep cleaning throughout our facilities
Ensuring our gate guards and law enforcement are exercising recommended safeguards when dealing with personnel and port visitors, as well as limiting unnecessary personal contact.

We will continue to provide updates as the coronavirus situation evolves.