Covid 19 positive Filipino crew members mula India tinutulungan ng DOTr

Mula sa maritime sector ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) kasama ang Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard, kasama ang mga ahensiya ng One-Stop Shop (OSS) ng Port of Manila ang nagsama sama upang bigyan ng assistance ang Filipino crew members sakay ng MV Athens Bridge mula India na may COVID 19.

Ayon sa shipping agent ng MV Athens Bridge, ang nasabing vessel ay umalis ng India noong April 22 at dumating ng Haiphong, Vietnam noong May 1 upang kunan sila ng RT-PCR Test. Noon nalaman na may 12 Filipino ang nag positibo sa COVID 19 mula sa 21 na crew members na Filipino na sakay nito.

Noong May 6 naman nakakuha ng mensahe ang PCG mula sa captain ng barko upang magsagawa ng medical evaluation ng 2 crew members na may kritikal na condtion na nangangailangan ng medical care.

Nang panahon yoon, ang MV Athens Bridge ay malapit na sa Corregidor Island na may 12 nautical miles ng island.

“Upon securing clearance from Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and the Department of Health (DOH), MV Athens Bridge was directed to the quarantine anchorage designated by OSS Port of Manila. Security is also provided by the PCG to ensure that no unauthorized vessel or banca will approach the vessel,” ayon sa DOTr.

Dumating naman ang mga doctors ng BOQ at tiningnan ang kalagayan ng 2 crew members na kritikal at inirekomdiya ang madaliang evacuation ng nasabing crew.

Sa ngayon, ang 2 crew members ay ligtas ng nadala sa dedicated medical facility kung saan sila sasailalim sa quarantine at paggagamot. Habang ang iba pang crew members ay binigyan ng mga kanilang pangangailangan tulad ng mga medical supplies at oxygen tanks, na galing sa PCG at BOQ.

“The national government, through the maritime sector of the DOTr, assures that the situation and the condition of the crew members will be consistently monitored. Health protocols will also be prioritized throughout the entire process,” dagdag ng DOTr.

Samantala, binuksan naman ang Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Quarantine Facility in Manila South Harbor bilang isang isolation dahil na rin sa pagtaas ng bilang ng nagkakasakit ng COVID at sa kakulangan ng mga isolation facilities sa Metro Manila.

“Initially, the facility was set up to merely accommodate repatriated seafarers and OFWs who are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. With the conversion and retrofitting asymptomatic patients and patients with mild symptoms can now be accommodated and treated in the facility,” saad ng PPA.

Ang nasabing facility ay may 211-bed capacity na may apat na sections para sa patients, health staffers, at iba pang essential workers. Ang Sections A&B ay para sa mga health staff at iba pang essential workers habang ang Sections C&D ay par naman sa mga personnel ng PCG at PPA na mayron virus subalit asymptomatic o hindi kinakakitaan ng symptoms. LASACMAR