The Department of Health says they’re reviewing their seaport protocols for screening and testing for coronavirus to minimize exposure of personnel.
With the case of the container ship Fesco Askold, a total of 9 DOH personnel are now in quarantine after they boarded the vessel and were exposed to the three crew members who tested positive for the coronavirus or were not on the vessel but came into contact with those who were on board.
The other two in quarantine are Port Administration pilots who guided the container vessel into port Sunday afternoon.
KHJ News asked DOH Epidemiologist Dr Aifili John Tufa how their screening and testing activities will be impacted with that many personnel in quarantine.
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There’s no change in the territory’s threat level for COVID-19; for now we are still at CODE Blue.
Dr Tufa said they’re confident there’s no spread of the virus from the vessel’s crew.
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DOH Director Motusa Tuileama Nua said a decision on off loading the Fesco Askold’s cargo will be made after they review the plan by the vessel’s local agent, Samoa Pacific Shipping, for offloading operations.
