Crew members from the live export ship Al Kuwait have tested positive for COVID-19. The six males have been moved to hotel quarantine.

The ship departed the UAE on the May 7 with 48 crew members and docked at Fremantle Port on Friday May 22.

The remaining 42 crew members will stay on the ship and will be monitored by a WA Health team. However, Premier Mark McGowan believes more crew will become infected.

“This is an extremely concerning situation we find ourselves in,” said Mr McGowan.

The ship was granted permission to arrive by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture despite its pre-arrival report detailing they had sick crew members. However, the State Government claims Fremantle Port authority was not made aware of the health concerns.  Mr McGowan said it wasn’t until two days later that Fremantle Port Authority learnt of the health issues on the ship via “word of mouth”, it was then reported to health officials.

No crew members disembarked other than those taken to quarantine. Several Fremantle Port workers who had been on board the ship are now in self isolation.

The 56,000 sheep due to leave on the ship are currently in a feedlot in Baldivis.

Listen to the full press conference with Premier Mark McGowan, Health Minister Roger Cook and the Police Commissioner:

Latest COVID-19 Figures:

• 6 new cases today
• Current WA total – 570
• 549 people have recovered – leaving 12 ACTIVE cases.
• 0 cases are in hospital
• 78,308 people have been tested
• Total deaths to date – 9

Photo Credit – WA Today