MV Ruby Princess docks in Manila Bay with over 2,000 Filipinos aboard

The MV Ruby Princess, a cruise ship linked to coronavirus deaths in Australia and the United States, arrived in Manila Bay on May 7, 2020.

The ship, which left Australia on April 24, is linked to hundreds of infections and at least 19 deaths in Australia, and two more in the US.

Australian police are investigating the ship's operator, Carnival Australia, over its handling of passengers disembarking in mid-March without testing.

Over 2,000 Filipino seafarers on board were immediately tested for COVID-19 upon docking at the Manila Bay anchorage.

Filipino seafarers who test positive will be taken to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, while negative results mean a 14-day quarantine advisory at home.

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that a total of 2,126 sea-based returning overseas Filipino workers from the MV Ruby Princess have been tested.

Crew members from seven other cruise ships were also tested on May 6, and eight more cruise ships with Filipino seafarers are expected within two weeks.