Second person from ship tests positive to COVID-19, third man undergoing further testing

A SECOND crew member on board the Diamantina cattle export ship has tested positive for coronavirus

UPDATE: A SECOND crew member from the Diamantina has tested positive to coronavirus while a third has returned a low positive after further testing yesterday.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said the crew members, aged 35 and 36 respectively, tested positive after isolating on board the livestock export ship.

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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 CREW member on board a cattle export boat which arrived in Darwin on Sunday has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now in isolation at RDH

“We believe (the low positive) may be a residual case so somebody who’s previously had COVID-19 still coming up with a low positive case,” she said.

“Out of precaution they have been of course taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in isolation, where they’re being treated and monitored.

“We have got very strong measures in place when it comes to vessels coming into the harbour and how we go about monitoring COVID-19.”

Three of the 28 crew are in Royal Darwin Hospital, with the remaining 25 split between the vessel and Howard Springs.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison, Northern Territory's Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie and NT Police Commander Matthew Hollamby give an update on declared coronavirus hotspots in the Sydney region prior to NYE 2020. Picture: Che Chorley

EARLIER:SECOND crew member on board the Diamantina cattle export shiphas tested positive for COVID-19.

The 35-year-old returned a positive COVID-19 test in the last 24 hours.

Additionally, a 36-year-old man from the same ship will undergo further testing today to ascertain his condition.

Both men were taken to from the vessel to Royal Darwin Hospital in line with public and environmental health directions, and will be in isolation until they return two negative tests.

The total number of cases diagnosed in the Northern Territory is 76.

The 36-year-old will be added to the Northern Territory statistics only if confirmed to be currently COVID-19 active.

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All cases have been related to international or interstate travel, with no cases of community transmission.

The first case aboard the Diamantina was a 25-year-old crew member diagnosed on Monday night.

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Originally published as Second person from ship tests positive to COVID-19, third man undergoing further testing