THE Batangas provincial government and the Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19 are closely monitoring an emergency situation involving a domestic vessel owned by 2GO Shipping Lines that is now anchored in the waters off Bauan town.

According to reports from the Philippine Coast Guard and Maritime Industry Authority, the ship landed at Batangas International Port, Batangas City on August 1, with its crew members exhibiting COVID symptoms.

Batangas IATF member agencies immediately responded by providing proper transportation and coordinated the RT-PCR testing and isolation procedures for patients, which were conducted through the One Hospital Command Center of the Department of Health.

A 2GO representative said a total of 29 crew members of the ship tested positive for COVID-19. Of the number, three are currently confined in the hospitals, one in an isolation facility, and the 25 other crewmen remain on the ship.

The firm assured that the infected crew members were isolated from the remaining staff members to prevent the transmission of the virus.

Provincial health officer Dr. Rosvilinda Ozaeta said the Batangas IATF and the Provincial Health Board chaired by Gov. DoDo Mandanas conducted a meeting to prepare for the smooth transfer of the patients to accredited isolation facilities.

Medical personnel are also doing health assessments of the patients if it is necessary to take others to the hospital.

The Batangas IATF has approved the embarkation request of the ship owner so that the crew doctors can conduct a medical check-up on their stranded staff members

2GO officials have also submitted the ship’s manifesto to assist with medical procedures and contact tracing. Jojo Magsombol and Edwin Zabarte-Batangas PIO-Capitol

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