Vessel with Infected Crew Member Leaves Port

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The vessel, “Coral Islander” which had on board a crew member who tested positive for coronavirus left port yesterday after unloading operations were completed.

The infected crew member did not show any symptoms for the virus like a high fever or coughing but he yielded a positive test result conduced by the Department of Health.

The vessel with 20 crew members arrived in port on Friday on a voyage which originated from Japan and called into the Pacific ports of New Caledonia, Solomons, Fiji and Tonga, all islands with coronavirus cases, before coming here.

The uploading and loading of the vessel was allowed to proceed. The crew members were required to remain in their quarters while local stevedores did the unloading.

Two DOH personnel who went on board to conduct the coronavirus test, a doctor and a Certified Nursing Assistant, as well as the Port Administration pilot who guided the Coral Islander into port were taken in for quarantine after the positive COVID test.

And 13 stevedores from Peter E Stevedoring who were involved with loading/unloading operations were also taken for quarantine.

DOH Epidemiologist Dr. Aifili John Tufa said they are being monitored and will be given tests but they will not have to remain in quarantine for 14 days.

The Coral islander is now reported to be waiting outside Apia Harbor for permission to enter.

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