March 30, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from the Pohnpei State Pandemic Readiness and Response Commission (PRRC)/Task Force Update on FV Marielle – March 29, 2022 The Fishing Vessel (FV) Marielle, an FSM-flagged, Caroline Fisheries Corporation (CFC) vessel remains at the anchorage point, off the coast of Pohnpei. No crew have disembarked the vessel since March 11, 2022, when three FSM citizens who tested negative, were fully immunized and reached the end of their employment contract disembarked. All three crewmembers and their contacts in Pohnpei and Yap have tested negative for Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. On March 26, 2022, a team from the Pohnpei State Public Health division conducted repeat COVID-19 (PCR) tests for the entire crew as recommended by a previous report from medical authorities. The results showed seven positive results. Further testing is required to identify the variant, and samples will be sent off-island for confirmation. Isolation for the seven individuals onboard has been recommended by the Task Force/PRRC Medical Advisory Committee, with re-testing to occur on April 5, 2022. Those Pohnpei Public Health staff who will be conducting the testing onboard will be placed in quarantine at MMA – Dekehtik for three days and tested before their release as an extra precautionary measure. FV Marielle’s Captain and CFC are aware of the situation and the vessel has confirmed its capacity to isolate the seven positive cases onboard. In spite of the positive results, all crew members are reported to be asymptomatic, or without any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. The public is advised to remain calm, stay away from the FV Marielle at anchorage and continue to practice sanitary hygiene practices, like hand washing and staying at home if you are sick. Visit the COVID-19 Information Center for vaccine resources. Get Vaccine Info