BOQ personnel exposed to COVID-19 hit ship isolated

MANILA, Philippines — Personnel of the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) who were possibly exposed to Filipino crew members of the COVID-stricken vessel from India have been placed under isolation as a precautionary measure, according to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

The maritime sector of the Department of Transportation reported that M/V Athens Bridge arrived in the Philippines last week, days after it stopped at two ports in India before arriving in Vietnam on May 1 where 12 of the 21 Filipino crew members tested positive for the virus.

Four critical patients were rushed to the hospital while eight were placed under quarantine at an undisclosed facility.

The rest of the crew are quarantined inside the vessel and given medical supplies, including oxygen tanks, while docked in Manila.

Quoting the BOQ, the MARINA said the swab samples collected from the crew members have been submitted to the Philippine Genome Center to identify the COVID-19 variant that caused their infection.

“The results will be out within three weeks,” the MARINA said.