NEW Zealand health officials have confirmed additional cases of COVID-19 onboard the containership Mattina, bringing the total number of confirmed cases on the ship to 15. These cases are linked to the more transmissible Delta variant.
The MV Mattina arrived at the Port of Bluff on 18 July, from Fremantle, Western Australia, with two crew members showing symptoms of COVID-19. Testing of all 21 crew members have confirmed more cases.
All crew who have tested positive for the virus will remain in quarantine onboard the vessel, where they will maintain the minimum functions of the ship and will not have direct contact with any port staff.
Three crew members, including the ship’s captain, have tested negative for COVID-19 and have been safely moved to onshore facilities under strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the use of full PPE.
The captain is quarantining in a facility close by to the ship so he can return in case of emergency.
The Ministry of Health said that the cases are not linked to any in New Zealand. The country currently has no cases of COVID in the community, only 19 cases currently in the country, all of which are mariners in isolation.
