Fourteen crew members of a cargo ship that sailed to Durban from India have examined optimistic for COVID-19, South Africa’s Transnet National Port Authority has stated. A spokesperson from Transnet stated the trigger of a chief engineer’s demise aboard the ship was coronary heart assault and never COVID-19.
The 14 had been among the many total crew that was examined after the ship arrived in Durban on Sunday. They are actually all in isolation as authorities begin a observe and hint initiative for all those that might need been in contact with them. “The vessel is at present on quarantine. No one is allowed to go away or enter the vessel, and the corporate accountable for anybody who labored on board is to trace and hint all workers who interacted with the topic vessel, Transnet stated on Tuesday.
A senior port official, who spoke on situation of anonymity, instructed a information portal that no less than 200 port workers had been engaged on the vessel since Sunday night, manually offloading about 3,000 tonnes of rice. “The rice got here in 50kg luggage. We are a bit involved as a result of loads of individuals have boarded that vessel since Sunday, the supply stated.
Transnet stated the ship with Filipino crew had sailed straight from India, the place they’d been examined for COVID-19 and cleared as per necessities. “Upon arrival on the Port of Durban, as a typical precautionary measure, all crew members had been examined and 14 of the crew examined optimistic for COVID-19. The total vessel is at present in quarantine on the Port of Durban, as per COVID-19 rules,” Transnet said.
All operations with the vessel have been suspended. The authority said it remained vigilant to ensure that all vessels calling at the port have been cleared.
“TNPA is responsible for ensuring that all vessels calling the port have been cleared by relevant state organs, namely, port health, migration, MRCC and customs before entering or leaving the port, it said. News of the incident caused widespread concern on social media about fears that the new B.1.617 variant that was causing thousands of deaths in India daily had reached South African shores.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has assured the public that plans are in place to test all arrivals into the country, reminding them that there were no direct flights from India. Mkhize did express concern though that those arriving from India via other countries could pose a challenge.
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