COVID case on vessel off Karratha

A crew member onboard a vessel off waters in the state’s north west is being transferred to Royal Perth Hospital this afternoon after testing positive for COVID-19.

During a press conference this afternoon, Premier Mark McGowan confirmed that the crew member had been onboard a bulk carrier ‘Aquagenie’ in Commonwealth waters off Karratha when he became unwell.

The crew member, a man in his 50s, returned a positive antigen test in onboard testing; prompting the federal government to coordinate an evacuation for the crew member.

The 23 remaining crew were also tested, but did not return positive results. 

As the vessel is in Commonwealth waters, the response was led by the national Marine Safety Authority.

Mr McGowan confirmed that the man had since been transferred to Karratha Health Campus and was being transferred to Perth this afternoon by the Royal Flying Doctor Service where he will be treated in an isolation ward.

He said he had been advised that all personnel involved had worn full PPE during the transfer of the patient.

The ship, which has come from various Chinese ports, is expected to leave Commonwealth waters in the coming days.

Mr McGowan said the case was a timely reminder that COVID-19 remained a ‘real threat’.