12 COVID-positive Filipino crew of vessels from Indonesia under isolation — DOH
MANILA, Philippines — The 12 Filipino crew members of a tugboat and a barge from Indonesia who tested positive for COVID-19, including one who apparently snuck off, are now under isolation and being closely monitored, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
According to DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the vessels are now anchored off Albay as the crew members undergo quarantine.
Vergeire said five samples have been collected from the crew members and sent for genome sequencing in order to detect if they have been infected with the more transmissible Delta variant.
“Our regional office has given us the report already that they are now isolated in their vessel. Binabantayan po sila ng Philippine Coast Guard. Walang magdi-disembark,” she told reporters in an online briefing.
She said essential personnel tasked to monitor the crew members will be the only ones allowed to enter the tugboat.
The vessels, manned by a total of 20 Filipino crew members, arrived in Albay early Tuesday, Vergeire said.
Local health and government authorities earlier said the crew went through mandatory swab tests when their vessels, M/V Tug Clyde and Barge Claudia, arrived from Indonesia in the port of Butuan City on July 14.
The vessels were allowed to leave the port prior to release of the results. They were already bound for Albay when the test results came out.
Twelve of the 20 crew members tested positive, but only 11 reached Albay since one of them disembarked in Butuan City apparently without the knowledge of the captain, Vergeire said.
“Yung isa po bumababa without the knowledge of the captain apparently at sumakay sa isang public transport,” she said.
“According to our regional office, they were already able to locate [him]. He’s now isolated,” Vergeire added, noting that his family as well as the driver of the public transportation he rode are now undergoing quarantine.
The crew member’s co-passengers have also been identified, according to the DOH official.
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