COVID SHIP ANCHORS

TOWNSVILLE HOSPITAL PREPARES TO TREAT SICK CREW

TWO crew members from the coal ship Globe Electra who tested positive for coronavirus may remain on board, despite initial reports they would be transported to Townsville University Hospital.

A federal government source said no decision would be made to remove the crew members from the ship, which anchored off Townsville last night, until a patient assessment was done.

However, Queensland Health said the crew members would be taken to Townsville University Hospital.

COVID- INFECTED crew members aboard the Globe Electra, which anchored off Townsville last night, will not disembark unless they are extremely unwell.

A federal government source said despite Queensland Health saying the two crew members would be transported to Townsville University Hospital, they would remain on board unless they needed to be hospitalised.

Queensland Health, however, said the coal ship crew would be transported to the hospital either late on Friday night or Saturday morning.

The source said the federal government was concerned about the ship becoming another Ruby Princess if all health procedures weren’t adhered to.

They were also concerned the number of cases on the ship could be understated.

It is understood the state government was working closely with Border Force to make sure all precautions were taken.

The Bulletin believes once the ship anchored off Townsville’s coast, patients would be assessed and a decision made about bringing them ashore.

All Globe Electra crew tested negative to COVID-19 before the ship left the Philippines however, two cases have now emerged.

The ship was moored at Hay Point on Thursday when a Mackay doctor in full personal protective equipment boarded the ship. All crew members remained on board while being tested.

Townsville GP Michael Clements said under maritime law there was an obligation to help the crew members.

He said there was no need for the community to be concerned about the ship anchoring off the coast of Townsville.

“I’d be relaxed about them coming, because Queensland Health are certainly ready, the hospital is ready, the training, the protocol and the equipment (is all in place),” Dr Clements said. “The protocols mean they’re going to be able to move them from the ship to the hospital if they need to, or to quarantine.”

Dr Clements said the health community had learnt from the Victorian outbreak that quarantine breaches were a top priority. “We know so much more now about how to manage this, I think it would be very low risk … if they come and they need care,” he said.

This comes as 12 Townsville healthcare workers left for Melbourne to assist struggling hospitals amid the outbreak in Victoria.