COVID-19 hits 27 2GO ferry crew members; passengers to undergo quarantine

More than 20 out of 82 ferry crew members of 2GO Travel were infected with the coronavirus disease, prompting all crew members to undergo quarantine for 14 days.

According to GMA News reporter Chino Gaston's tweet, the St. Anthony de Padua vessel traveled from Caticlan and is now anchored off Bauan, Batangas.

Initial reports said 28 crew members got COVID-19. 

The 2GO Travel Group, however, later clarified that only 27 crew members out of 80 tested positive for COVID-19.

“To ensure the well-being of our seafarers, a team of medical practitioners is closely observing their condition on a 24-hour basis,” 2GO said in Gaston’s report on 24 Oras.

Three officers with severe symptoms were brought to hospitals in Batangas.

According to Philippine Coast Guard, the vessel was already in the vicinity waters of Batangas when they found that the crew members contracted COVID-19.

This vessel had around 77 passengers when it arrived at the Batangas port, the tweet also read.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will also conduct contact tracing among passengers.

“Nakahanda po ang Philippine Ports Authority sa detalye ng barko as to the passengers so ini-ready na namin,” PPA Batangas Port Manager Joselito Sinocruz said.

Meanwhile, 2GO said it is closely working with authorities.

“We are closely working with both local government units and national authorities for active case investigation and contract tracing to track passengers who may have come into direct contact with the crew,” 2GO said.

On Monday, the Philippines' total COVID-19 cases reached 1,667,714, including 78,480 active cases, 1,560,106 recoveries, and 29,128 deaths. —Consuelo Marquez and Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF/KG, GMA News