The Canarian Government has expressed its concern over the lack of information and a clear protocol from the State regarding the 'MV Hondius' cruise ship, which carries passengers at risk of hantavirus. A spokesperson for the Canarian executive lamented the absence of official documentation justifying the decision to transfer the vessel to the islands, despite repeated requests for reports from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“"When we referred to information, we meant documentation."
The situation has led to moments of high tension, such as the receipt of a ministerial communication late at night warning of an aircraft taking off from Cape Verde with a seriously ill patient. The regional executive has insisted on the need for a detailed report and protocol, demanding that the ship anchor rather than dock to minimize contact with the island. Although coordination has improved, they are still awaiting the definitive protocol from the Ministry of Health.
The disembarkation and repatriation operation for passengers, from 23 different nationalities, is expected to be complex. The goal is that no one leaves the ship until their transfer to their destination countries is guaranteed. Three flights have already been confirmed for Sunday, bound for Great Britain, Spain, and the United States. The Canarian Government has offered its legal experience from the H10 hotel confinement to assist in the operation.
One of the most critical revelations is the limited hospital capacity in the Canary Islands for high-risk infectious disease cases. A spokesperson for the Canarian executive explained that the maximum isolation unit at La Candelaria Hospital, the UATAM, has only one bed. This figure aligns with the national scarcity, where there are estimated to be only twelve such beds in all of Spain, as confirmed by a representative of the Canarian Health Service.
“"The Canary Islands has one, but there are only 12 in all of Spain."
The spokesperson for the Canarian executive has questioned the logic of the central Government's decision, arguing that Cape Verde, despite its medical limitations, did have the logistical capacity to repatriate passengers, as was already done with the most serious cases. He emphasized that responsibility for any incident during the transfer lies with whoever made the decision to divert the cruise ship to the islands.
