The Department of Health has been alerted to a previously symptomatic crew member on board a bulk carrier due to arrive in Geraldton Port tomorrow morning.
As standard public health measure, WA Health will test the crew member for COVID-19 early tomorrow morning. A WA Health nurse in full PPE will board the Key Integrity to swab the crew member.
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.
The Key Integrity left Manila on 6 October 2020 where a crew exchange took place and 13 new crew came on board. They were tested for COVID-19 before joining the vessel.
The Department of Health would like to reassure the Geraldton community they are not at risk. The Key Integrity will remain berthed and no crew will disembark.
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.
