MANILA – A ship suspected to be carrying a crew infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has been allowed to dock in Manila for emergency medical aid.
In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Health (DOH) said two crew members of the MV Athens Bridge, which flies the flag of Panama and is carrying a crew of 21 Filipinos, are in critical condition.
“They will be assessed upon arrival and transferred to their partner hospital as they see fit,” the DOH said.
The vessel will also be assessed whether it could adequately serve as a quarantine facility for the rest of the crew.
“Rest assured that appropriate care will be provided to those who need it while upholding the proper protocols,” the department said.
A situation report from the National Task Force Against Covid-19 said 12 of the crew members were infected with Covid-19, with two needing “immediate medical evacuation” due to breathing difficulties.
“They are already very weak. The vessel has only one oxygen bottle left, which is currently in use by the patient,” the report read.
It said the vessel was initially prohibited from entering Manila due to refusal from the Bureau of Quarantine.
The point of origin and destination of the vessel was not immediately known.
“Vessel was refused entry in Vietnam that’s why vessel took refuge in Manila considering all crew are Filipino and had the highest hope that vessel will be accommodated,” the situation report read. "An emergency medical evacuation was approved, the vessel is already steaming (on its way to Manila)."
It said the vessel was already northwest of Corregidor Island outside Manila Bay and was waiting for a hospital that could provide medical assistance to those in critical condition.
According to marinetraffic.com, the MV Athens Bridge, a container ship, was previously anchored at Port Klang in Malaysia. (PNA)
