Australia police board cruise ship to gather evidence

Police wearing protective gear boarded a cruise ship in Australia on Wednesday night to seize evidence and question crew members of the vessel linked to hundreds of coronavirus infections and 15 deaths.

About 2,700 passengers disembarked from the Ruby Princess on March 19 in Sydney and it has since become the largest source of coronavirus infections in Australia.

More than 600 cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, and 15 deaths are linked the to the ship.

Speaking in Sydney on Thursday New South Wales state Police Commissioner, Mick Fuller, said police had launched an investigation and had seized evidence from the ship including its black box.

The ship's 1,040 crew are undergoing medical assessments and about 200 have shown symptoms of COVID-19, while 18 have tested positive for the virus that causes it.

The Ruby Princess is expected to remain in port for 10 days while investigations and tests are carried out.

On Thursday, Australia recorded its lowest increase in coronavirus cases in more than three weeks.

Health officials said there were 96 new virus cases bringing Australia's overall total of cases to 6,000 and 51 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

(Image Credit: AP)