A POSITIVE COVID-19 test result has been confirmed in Gizo, Western Province after crew members of a general cargo vessel, the MV Vimaru Pearl had undergone their third swab test as part of the 21 Quarantine at Sea (QAS) procedure.
During the QAS, all international vessels entering the country will undergo swab tests within a 21 days quarantine period.
Only one person was tested positive out of the eight (8) vessel crew members after the third test routine of which the ship was immediately flagged and sent to Honiara for further quarantine and testing.
The Western Provincial Disaster Committee immediately assembled for a briefing on the situation where by it was confirmed that the vessel is here for log cargo and quarantined prior to allowing stevedores to board the vessel.
The cargo vessel is reported to have entered the country after visiting two high risk countries, Philippines and Vietnam during the month of June and therefore has a high chance of further infection among crew members.
However, the further infection of other crew members is yet to be seen and the vessel is now in Honiara for another leg of quarantine and testing.
Test results obtained shows that a positive test result was indeed received but the PDC and Medical Service Director said they cannot confirm which strand of the virus it is at this time.
Meanwhile, in accordance to the Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) carried out by Gizo Hospital swab team, all eight members of the team including medical lab personnel are themselves in quarantine since the positive result was confirmed.
“We are confident in the integrity of our team and their quarantine is simply procedural,” said Dr. Dickson Boara.
Prior to the meeting, word of the positive case had spread in Gizo and call for calm is being made by the PDC.
“No crew member of Vimaru Pearl is quarantined in Gizo and no crew member has been allowed of the vessel since entering national waters.
“As required by SOP, all swab teams after each test routine are quarantined at Gizo’s Imagination Island an only return to their families after a negative result.
“In this case it was the third and final test routine that was being done and since the positive result, swab team members have not returned to their homes and are still in quarantine stations.”
All together eight medical team members are in quarantine including the boat drivers and they will be relocated to Gizo hotel in the coming days.
In the meantime, the situation is causing additional issues that will see the likely closure of Gizo Hospital medical lab and swab testing in the province and will require that all test now be sent directly to Honiara.
By TERENCE ZIRU
Gizo News Bureau
