28 crew of RoRo vessel in Batangas infected with Covid-19

MANILA – A total of 28 crew members of a Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo) vessel currently anchored at Bauan Bay in Batangas have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 ( Covid-19), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday.

In a Viber message to reporters, the PCG said three of the 28 crew members of St. Anthony de Padua, a 2GO RoRo vessel, have severe symptoms and have been taken out of the ship for additional medical attention.

“A total of 25 crew members who are asymptomatic or have minor symptoms continue to serve their quarantine aboard the vessel,” the PCG said.

The vessel’s chief mate, it said, has been isolated at San Juan Doctors Hospital, an officer isolated at Golden Gate General Hospital in Batangas City, and another officer isolated at Chateau Royale Kalinga Hotel in Nasugbu.

The vessel, it said, has 82 crew members, with an onboard doctor to cater to the needs of its Covid-19-infected crew members.

To control the spread of the disease, it said the PCG Station Batangas conducted seaborne patrol at the vicinity waters off Bauan Bay to ward off other seacrafts from coming near the RoRo while its crew members are not allowed to disembark “without proper coordination”.

The vessel arrived in Batangas on Saturday from Caticlan in Malay, Aklan.

Prior to its arrival, a crew member experienced Covid-19 symptoms, decided to get tested, and was found infected.

“Other crew members also got tested, a total of 28 crew members are declared positive for Covid-19. They are already at the vicinity waters off Batangas when they found out they are Covid-19 positive,” the PCG said.

Currently, it said the Provincial Health Office of Batangas is focused on handling all medical concerns of the RoRo crew members.