COVID-19 case changes arrival plans
Ship’s crew underwent testing after returning to home port
HMCS Halifax returned to its home port after a sixmonth mission in Europe on Monday, but because of a confirmed COVID-19 case on board, the occasion wasn't filled with the usual excitement, music and celebratory cheers.
“This was very obviously a shock when we did find out, although we did have contingencies in place for if something like this happened,” said Cmdr. Chris Rochon, the commanding officer of HMCS Halifax, in a phone interview Monday.
“But after the initial shock wears off, this team has been — since Day 1 — a team that comes together like a family in the face of adversity and they're leaning on each other. I wouldn't say they're happy, but there are smiles out there.”
COVID-19 CASE CONFIRMED SUNDAY
On Sunday, while HMCS Halifax was en route back to Halifax from Operation Reassurance, the ship's crew conducted rapid antigen detection tests as part of their pre-arrival health and safety protocols.
One member received a non-negative test result for COVID-19. The sailor then received a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which confirmed that they tested positive for COVID-19.
That member is asymptomatic and has been isolated
from the remainder of the ship as a precaution, Rochon noted, while the remainder of the ship's company received negative results and none of them were showing any symptoms.
LATEST TEST RESULTS TO DETERMINE CREW'S NEXT STEPS
Upon arrival at HMC Dockyard in Halifax on Monday morning, the entire ship crew took turns receiving PCR tests, including the member who previously tested positive, said Maj. Mark Gough, senior public affairs officer for Maritime Forces Atlantic.
“We put a plan in place, where the ship came alongside as planned, we turned off all the ceremonial aspects that we would normally do for an arrival, having dignitaries present, having the bands present, that sort of thing, unfortunately,” Gough added.
Once the test results come back, Maritime Forces Atlantic, in consultation with provincial and federal health authorities, will provide the next steps for the crew and their families.
According to Gough, the last port visit that HMCS Halifax's crew did was in Reykjavik, Iceland, for a couple of days, which is where the crew member likely caught the virus.
"They left Iceland on Friday to make the final hop across the Atlantic and before that, they had been at sea for more than 14 days," he said.
FAMILIES LOOK FORWARD TO LONGAWAITED REUNION
Gough said he imagines the sailors are “champing at the bit to get home” since they've been gone for more than six months.
“It's no doubt a bit of a disappointment for the members and their families today, but again, we have all these precautions in place, all these protocols in place to make sure that everybody stays healthy and safe,” he added.
On Monday, Norm Everett watched from a distance from his home in Russell, Ont., for the arrival of HMCS Halifax. His son, Nic Everett, is among the ship's roughly 250-member crew.
“We're looking forward to it. Hopefully they get all this COVID stuff solved,” said Norm, who spent 10 years in the navy fleet in Halifax and retired from his 32-year naval career in 2016.
The father and son, who both pursued careers as naval combat information operators, haven't seen each other for more than 18 months. Norm said they were planning to reunite on Friday, when Nic was expected to arrive in Ontario by car, and hopes that things go according to plan.
“We just want to spend time with him,” said Norm. “We're proud of him, we're proud of everybody that was in (HMCS) Halifax and we're glad they all came home safe.”
For Rochon, whose wife and two kids are “anxiously waiting” to reunite with him, being home in Nova Scotia for the first time since January is a heartwarming feeling.
“There's always something special about when you turn the corner and you see Chebucto Head and you know that it's there and you know after a long time, you're back in Canada, back where you belong,” he said.