Covid 19 coronavirus: Two positive cases on container ship in quarantine in Bluff

The Mattina container ship, Marshall-islands flagged, has two cases of Covid-19 on board. The ship is currently in quarantine in Bluff. Photo / Tony des Landes

Two crew members on a container ship in the South Island have tested positive for Covid-19.

The Marshall-islands flagged ship Mattina is the third vessel in New Zealand to have an outbreak of the virus on board.

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The ship came into port in Bluff last night where all 21 crew were tested, the Ministry of Health said. Rapid tests were ordered for the two symptomatic cases, while the results for the remaining crew members are due back tonight.

Both of the Covid-19 cases joined the ship in Singapore on July 2 after providing negative pre-departure tests.

Southern DHB health officials were working with other agencies to determine the next steps for the ship.

In the meantime, the crew members would remain on board the Mattina.

The ship is currently in quarantine in a secure area of the port in Bluff which cannot be accessed by members of the public.

Fencing would be put up to further restrict access to the vessel.

Two other ships in New Zealand waters have also been faced with recent Covid-19 outbreaks.

Eighteen crew members of the deep-sea fishing vessel Viking Bay have tested positive for Covid-19, while vessel Playa Zahara has 16 positive cases among its 18 crew members, the ministry said.

There were no Covid-19 cases reported in the New Zealand community today, and three positive cases in MIQ.