Fesco Askold to Return to Port Today

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Another container ship, the Coral Chief, was allowed to dock yesterday and all 24 crew members were swabbed and tested for coronavirus.

Dr. Aifili John Tufa, Department of Health Epidemiologist, said all of the tests yielded negative results for the COVID-19 virus and that unloading of the vessel cargo was permitted.

The Coral Chief is departing this morning.

Meanwhile, the container ship Fesco Askold with three crew members who tested positive for coronavirus was still waiting out at sea as of yesterday.

After the Coral Chief clears out, the Fesco Askold will come in today to begin unloading.

Dr. Tufa said DOH and agents for the vessel have agreed on a mitigation plan to minimize exposure. “They will offload with no contact with the boat’s crew,” he said.

Regarding the three infected crew members, Dr. Tufa reports they have been isolated and are not showing any symptoms of COVID-19.

They will remain in their cabins while offloading and loading are underway. An industry source explained that the container vessels have their own loading equipment on board.

Dr. Tufa stressed that the ship’s crew will not come into contact with anyone on the dock and assured that all containers coming off the vessel will be decontaminated by a local company, Island Safety and Sanitation.

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