‘I’m advised that they were wearing PPE when they boarded that vessel, and they did not come into contact with the infectious individual’: Health Minister confirms locals in isolation after interacting with ship

A NUMBER of Territory port staff are in isolation after interacting with a cattle export ship on which a crew member tested positive for COVID-19

A NUMBER of Territory port staff are in isolation after interacting with a cattle export ship on which a crew member tested positive for COVID-19.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles confirmed on Tuesday that local staff involved with the Diamantina cattle export ship, on which a 25-year-old Pakistan national tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday night, were now in self-isolation after interacting and boarding the ship.

MORE TOP NEWS

Crew member on cattle export boat tests positive for COVID-19

Not the leftovers! NT man finds thief eating lamb roast in his kitchen

Gunner govt signs off on $1.2m international marketing deal despite borders still closed

“It’s important for the community to note that these individuals remained on board, and they didn’t have interactions with the boarder down community,” she said.

“There was some port staff that had interacted with that ship that were dressed in the appropriate PPE (personal protection equipment) and keeping contact to a minimum and we advised that they didn’t come into contact with the infectious individual, but those people are now contacts and are in isolation and have been tested.

“We have put in place precautions throughout the coronavirus pandemic but there is need from a maritime safety perspective. You have the pilots who go out and go on board and guide those vessels into the Port of Darwin.

“The pilot of that vessel, the Australian that did perform that duty is now in isolation because they are a contact of this person who’s tested positive. I’m advised that they were wearing PPE when they boarded that vessel, and they did not come into contact with the infectious individual but of course they have been in contact on that vessel and have become a contact and are now in isolation, and they have been tested.”

The ship docked into East arm Wharf from Indonesia on Sunday night.

Ms Fyles said the Diamantina crew were screened for the virus upon arrival into Darwin, and one crew member had displayed symptoms.

A case of COVID-19 was confirmed aboard the cattle ship "Diamantina" docked at East Arm Wharf in Darwin Harbour. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

“We have had a 25-year-old Pakistan national tested positive off a ship a vessel that came into Darwin to receive cattle for live cattle export,” she said.

“The individual is now in isolation under the care of Royal Darwin Hospital, and we wish them well in their recovery.

“The initial screening process showed that one crew member had identified as being symptomatic in the past period of time, and therefore was immediately tested for coronavirus and yesterday that test returned positive.”

NT NEWS sizzling new deal: Get all your news for just $5 a month

The diagnosed man did not leave the ship prior to being admitted into RDH.

The majority of crew members have been transported to a separate section of the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility on Monday where they will undertake 14 days of mandatory supervised quarantine. None of them left the vessel.

Some crew members are required to remain on board the vessel in accordance with international maritime law.

Follow @raphsaroukos

Originally published as ‘I’m advised that they were wearing PPE when they boarded that vessel, and they did not come into contact with the infectious individual’: Health Minister confirms locals in isolation after interacting with ship