FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On March 7, 2022, the Fishing Vessel (FV) Marielle, an FSM-flagged Caroline Fisheries Corporation (CFC) vessel docked at Dekehtik Harbor, Pohnpei. Marielle had just completed a 16-day transit from Papua New Guinea. The crew of 18 was tested on March 8, 2022, for SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, with negative results.
On March 11, 2022, three crew members were allowed to disembark. All three crew members had come to the end of their contract with CFC, were fully vaccinated, and had previously tested negative. On March 18, 2022, CFC requested an additional six local crew members to disembark to visit with families for three days before returning to sea. Before they were allowed to disembark, testing was conducted on the six crewmembers with four showing positive results. No crew members were allowed to disembark. Additional testing was conducted for the entire crew by public health staff revealing one positive case and four historical cases on board the FV Marielle.
No other crew members have disembarked from the vessel. The FV Marielle has been moved to the anchorage point. The public is advised to avoid the vessel.
Regarding the three crew members who disembarked the vessel on March 11, 2022, two are from Pohnpei and one is from Yap. The Pohnpeian crew members have been tested, with one historical case result and another with a negative test result. The Yapese crewmember departed Pohnpei for Yap and the authorities in Yap have been notified.
Contact tracing for the two crew members has already started with their family members and contacts as a precautionary measure. Family members of the Pohnpeian crew members have been tested with negative results. Pohnpei State Outpatient and dispensary clinics will be conducting COVID-19 testing for anyone who presents with cold or flu-like symptoms for approximately one week, as a precautionary measure.
The public is advised to remain calm, continue to practice social distancing and sanitary/hygiene measures like hand washing. The public will be updated on any further developments.
For inquiries, please call 320-3109
