At least 13 out of 529 Filipino crewmembers of MV Grand Princess have tested positive of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and are now undergoing treatment in an undisclosed care facility in the United States, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.
The DFA made this statement following the repatriation of 444 crewmembers and passengers who arrived on a chartered flight from San Francisco International Airport.
According to the DFA, the whole repatriation process was facilitated by the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco in coordination with the Carnival Corporation, owner of the Bahamas-flagged cruise ship, the US State Department’s Office of Foreign Missions, and the California Governor’s Office.
Consul General Henry Bensurto, Jr. and his team monitored preparations for disembarkation at Oakland Port which started around noon on 14 March (Pacific Time).
From the ship, the Filipino repatriates underwent health screening by the US Department of Health and Human Services which included thermal scanning and other diagnostics to test if they had symptoms of COVID-19.
Only those who were asymptomatic were allowed to board the buses that transferred them to San Francisco International Airport. The plane left the airport at around 9:00 p.m. on March 14 (March 15 in Manila) and arrived at Clark International Airport at around 2:15 a.m. on Monday (March 16).
Shortly upon arrival, the repatriates were transported on chartered buses to the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City for the 14-day quarantine period under the guidance and attention Department of Health (DoH) medical personnel.
It was learned that a total of 78 Filipino crewmembers volunteered to remain on board to be part of the essential manning of the ship.
Three other Filipino passengers of the cruise ship disembarked and stayed in the US as they are California residents. (Roy C. Mabasa)
