The Panamanian government has allowed Holland America's two ships to transit through the Panama Canal, without authorizing any passenger or crew member to disembark due to COVID-19 concerns, the country's Ministry of Health announced on Saturday.

Four passengers have died aboard a cruise ship now anchored off the coast of Panama and two people aboard the ship have tested positive for the coronavirus, the cruise line said Friday, with hundreds of passengers unsure how long they will remain at sea.