11 test coronavirus positive in cargo ship at Helsinki Port

Coronavirus infections were detected among 11 crew members of a cargo ship, which arrived at the Helsinki Port from Saint Petersburg last week.

The vessel named Valencia Express arrived at the Vuosaari Harbour on 30 April, said the City of Helsinki in a press release on Monday.

All those infected have been isolated while those exposed have been quarantined onboard the ship.

A coronavirus test was conducted on all crew members on Sunday.

One crew member of the cargo ship fell ill in Saint Petersburg. All crew members were tested for COVID-19 in Saint Petersburg. At the time, four crew members were found to be infected in addition to the one already ill.

A Maritime Declaration of Health was issued in accordance with the applicable guidelines before the ship’s entry into port. Helsinki’s epidemiological operations unit was notified of the ship’s arrival and the fact that there were coronavirus carriers onboard. The ship has 24 crew members.

“Initially, we checked the condition of those who had fallen ill. After this, we placed those infected in isolation and those exposed in quarantine onboard the ship. The isolation and quarantine arrangements can be implemented onboard as all crew members have their own cabin,” said Sanna Isosomppi, Chief Physician of Epidemiological Operations.

“We tested all crew members for COVID-19 again on Sunday 2 May. This round of testing found seven new infections in addition to the four earlier ones. One crew member is in hospital care in Helsinki,” Isosomppi added.