Russian Embassy thanks Philippines for saving captain's life amid COVID-19 threat

The Russian Embassy in the Philippines has expressed its gratitude to the Philippine government for saving a sick Russian captain onboard a vessel amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) scare.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the embassy said that Captain Alexander Solodyannikov of the tanker Asphalt Transporter suffered from an unknown respiratory syndrome while onboard the ship.

"The ship's doctor could not help him and amid the COVID-19 scare, no country would allow him to enter to be admitted to a hospital," it said.

"The Government of the Philippines responded to the Embassy's request very quickly despite the lockdown and the quarantine measures and allowed the captain to be taken off the ship to a medical center in Metro Manila," it added.

The captain is now safe, according to the embassy.

"On behalf of his family and ourselves we thank our dear friends from the Philippines for helping us save a life!" it said.

A Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine is being implemented and will last until April 30. Land, air, and water transportation had been limited to prevent further spread of COVID-19. --Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News