Five Indonesian sailors aboard Ocean Amazing ship that is anchored off Vietnam’s southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to the provincial Steering Board for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

Foreign sailors are tested Covid-19 upon entry into Vietnam in December, 2020. Photo: Dong Ha

In the steering board’s report, the foreign ship has been on the way to deliver commodities from Indonesia since February 20. When it went across Vietnam’s waters, one of the sailors on the ship died due to an unidentified non-health-related issue.

The Vung Tau province's Center for Disease Control (CDC) in coordination with related agencies have taken samples for the remaining 20 sailors on board in the first test for the novel coronavirus.

Test results have shown that at least five out of them have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and one suspected case, the provincial CDC said.

The second test is under way. If it too returns positive, the ship will be sent back to Indonesia for replacing the crew and disinfection before it can return to Vietnam with the cargo.

As of February 24, the sailors were still on the ship anchored at sea, and have not carried out procedures to enter Vietnam.

Ba Ria - Vung Tau province is waiting for the Ministry of Health’s direction for the case.

At the time of writing, Vietnam has had 2,412 Covid-19 cases, 585 still active.