COVID cases reported on Australian aid vessel sailing to virus-free Tonga

(Reuters) – About two dozen instances of COVID-19 have been recorded among the many crew of an Australian warship on its approach to ship humanitarian support to virus-free Tonga, authorities stated on Tuesday.

Authorities in Tonga, hit by an enormous volcanic eruption and a tsunami on Jan. 15, have requested for support to be delivered with out human contact amid considerations a COVID outbreak could be devastating for the tiny Pacific island nation.

The HMAS Adelaide which left from Brisbane carrying massive portions of provides, helicopters, water purification tools, further humanitarian support, and likewise an Australian Military engineer contingent, is because of arrive in Tonga in a couple of days.

Australia’s Defence Minister Peter Dutton stated 23 personnel have examined constructive to COVID on the vessel.

“We’ll work with the Tongan authorities to maintain that vessel at sea to ensure there isn’t a risk and clearly the Tongan authorities is discussing that for the time being,” Dutton stated on Sky Information.

“Clearly they want the help desperately however they dont need the chance of COVID,”

Dutton’s workplace informed Reuters the HMAS Adelaide was nonetheless on its approach to Tonga. There are about 600 crew onboard.

Assist flights from Australia and New Zealand arrived in Tonga final week with important provides, however the switch of products was completed in a contactless manner. One Australian support flight was pressured to return to base when a COVID-19 case was detected midflight.

A New Zealand support vessel landed final week and extra support is enroute by air and sea from New Zealand, Japan and Britain.

The United Nations, Purple Cross and different reduction businesses on the bottom in Tonga have warned {that a} COVID-19 outbreak within the island could be catastrophic right now.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption https://graphics.reuters.com/TONGA-VOLCANO/lgpdwjyqbvo triggered a tsunami that destroyed villages and resorts and knocked out communications for the nation of about 105,000 folks. Three folks have been reported killed, authorities stated.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney and Praveen Menon in Wellington; enhancing by Michael Perry)