A Somerset couple are among 140 UK nationals stranded on the Grand Princess cruise ship after it emerged 21 crew members and passengers had caught the deadly disease.
Neil and Victoria Hanlon, from Bridgwater, spoke to ITV News on Friday (March 6) from the ship which is currently stationed off the coast of California. They said it felt like they were 'being kept in a prison'.
A passenger on an earlier voyage died and at least one other person became infected, reports Somerset Live.
Mike Pence, the US vice-president said all those on board the Grand Princess would undergo testing after 19 crew and two guests returned positive tests from a batch of 46 deemed to be at high-risk.
What will happen to 3,500 passengers and crew members from more than 50 countries remains unclear.
Speaking on ITV News, Mr Hanlon said he had seen a few people on the ship who "did look ill" and said coming into contact with infected persons was a concern.
Testing kits for the Covid-19 virus were delivered by helicopter to the ship and it's reported that a number of tests have been carried out onboard.
Mr Hanlon said that passengers were informed that testing was to start but that the reasons of why and why are not yet known - the couple added that not everyone was being tested as there were not enough kits.
The couple said they were keeping busy by reading magazines and using the ship's "good entertainment" package.
It's thought passengers are getting daily updates but the couple are still unsure when the cruise ship is likely to dock again.
