Newfoundland and Labrador reported 18 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.
But 11 of those people are crewmembers on a vessel anchored in Conception Bay.
The name of the ship was not provided but the owners of the MV Federal Montreal, which has been tied up near Kelly’s Island for the last couple of days, have confirmed it is the vessel in question.
The company, Fednav, referred questions to Health Canada, since the vessel and its movements would fall under federal jurisdiction.
In a statement to VOCM News, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said they were notified Thursday of a sick crewmember in need of medical attention, and that the person was transported to hospital by medevac.
“PHAC is working closely with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to support the health and safety of the vessel’s crew. The ship will remain at anchor in Conception Bay while PHAC works with provincial health authorities and marine sector partners to assess the situation in the context of local public health requirements and the requirements of the Quarantine Act to determine next steps.”
Provincial health officials say a total of 12 crewmembers have now tested positive on the ship, with all of them remaining on board except for the one person in hospital. It was also noted that testing of all crew has finished and they’re following all public health orders. The total number of crew on the ship was not released.
Meanwhile, the other seven cases reported Sunday are all related to travel within the county and include six men and one woman; three in the Eastern Health region and four in Central Health ranging in age from 20s or 30s to one person in their 60s.
There are also three travel advisories today involving Air Canada Flight 8018 from Montreal to St. John’s this past Thursday, as well as Air Canada Flights 8008 from Toronto to Deer Lake, and 8016 from Montreal to St. John’s, both last Friday.
There are now two people in hospital due to COVID-19 and 51 active cases including 29 in the Eastern Health region, 10 in Central, 10 in Western and two in Labrador-Grenfell.
No new presumptive positive cases were reported.
Officials also say a case reported Saturday in the Eastern Health region is related to travel within Canada.
However, a case reported on April 23 in the Western Health region remains under investigation.
