Whole genome sequencing from nine Covid-positive crew members aboard the Mattina vessel quarantined off the coast of Bluff has confirmed an infection of the Delta variant.
The Ministry of Health confirmed on Thursday evening the variant wasnt linked to any previously confirmed cases in the country.
Five more crew members aboard the Mattina tested positive for Covid-19 earlier on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases on the container ship docked in Bluff to 14.
The Ministry of Health said in a statement on Thursday that crew members who tested positive would remain quarantined on the vessel to maintain minimum functions at the port. These crew would have no direct contact with any port staff while carrying out these tasks.
READ MORE:* Two Covid-19-positive Mattina crew members back on ship after hospital trip* Covid-19: No new cases in the community, MIQ on Wednesday* Covid-19: Union calls for mandatory testing after container ship crew members test positive * Covid-19: Two mariners on quarantined ship at Bluff test positive, port workers movements being investigated
The three crewmen who initially returned negative tests had once again tested negative. As per the ministry’s guidance, plans had been finalised to transport two of them to a Christchurch-based MIQ facility.
The third person who tested negative, the ship’s captain, would isolate securely in DHB-provided accommodation near the port.
As captain, he must remain close by in case of emergency, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday night.
There would be around-the-clock security stationed at the captain’s isolation accommodation to ensure full compliance. Plans were in place to securely manage the captain’s return to the ship if urgently required.
These plans have been put in place to ensure the safety of the negative crew members at the same time as the health and wellbeing of members of the community.
The Marshall Island-flagged container ship arrived at South Port in Bluff on Sunday night, from Fremantle, Australia, with two of its 21 crew members experiencing flu-like symptoms.
The two, who had provided negative pre-departure tests when they boarded in Singapore on July 2, were tested and reported to be carrying Covid-19.
The ministry said on Thursday that three of the new cases were reported before 9am, while the other two were reported after 9am, and would be added to Fridays tally.
One further result is currently under investigation due to a high CT value, and three more have serological evidence of past infection and therefore are not deemed infectious at this stage, the ministry says.
The positive crew member will remain aboard the ship to maintain functions at the port.
It is safer to manage the smaller group of negative cases, by taking them off the ship, the ministry said.
MSC New Zealand general manager Steve Wright said the ship was carrying imported goods due to be delivered to ports throughout the country.
The shipping company does not own the ship, but Wright had been in contact with the owners who were responsible for the crew, under the charter agreement.
The vessel would be held in Bluff while the crew quarantines, which was causing delivery delays.
Customers had been pretty understanding, Wright said because they understood that Covid-19 had created a fluid situation.
Its a bit of an unknown at the moment, he said.
Two of Mattinas crew members were taken to Southland Hospital’s emergency department on Wednesday morning for assessment.
However, they did not need to be admitted and were sent back to the ship.
