Unwell crew member on ship off Geraldton sparks COVID-19 response

Unwell crew member on ship off Geraldton sparks COVID-19 response
Heather McNeill October 16, 2020 https://www.theage.com.au/national/western-australia/unwell-crew-member-...

Health authorities will test a crew member on board a bulk carrier at Geraldton Port on Saturday morning after learning the person recently displayed cold and flu-like symptoms.

The crew member is on board the Key Integrity, which is due into port overnight.

The ship has travelled from Manila, the same location as two COVID-riddled ships off Port Hedland earlier this month.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, WA Health said the crew member was being tested as a precaution.

"A WA Health nurse in full PPE will board the Key Integrity to swab the crew member," the statement read.

"Test results will be fast tracked and are anticipated to be available within two to three hours.

"There are 20 crew on board the vessel – none of the other 19 crew are reporting any symptoms and the crew member is isolating in his cabin."

WA Health moved to reassure the Geraldton community they were not at risk.

"The State Health Incident Coordination Centre is well experienced at managing vessel outbreaks, proven by the recent success of the Patricia Oldendorff vessel outbreak in Port Hedland," it said.

"An outbreak team is on standby and working closely with the WA Country Health Service."

WA Health Minister Roger Cook said last week that Australian mining companies had agreed to no longer use Manila-based ship crew members following the two Port Hedland outbreaks.

The Key Integrity left Manila on October 6 where a crew exchange took place and 13 new crew came on board. All were tested for COVID-19 before joining the vessel.