June 07, 2020 - 1:42 PM
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A crew member of an Alaska state ferry in the Aleutian Islands tested positive for COVID-19 and sailings were cancelled until further notice, officials said.
The Alaska Department of Transportation said a crew member of the M/V Tustumena tested positive after displaying symptoms Saturday, KTUU-TV reports.
The crew member, who was not identified, had a runny nose, cough and body aches but did not have a fever.
The crew member was isolated from other staff and passengers prior to being tested.
The ferry had 35 crew members and no more than 60 passengers travelling from Homer to Dutch Harbor in Unalaska.
Officials determined 16 people working as crew members on the vessel came in close contact with the infected person.
The Alaska Division of Public Health is working to identify everyone who may be affected, officials said.
The Tustumena arrived in Dutch Harbor Saturday after returning to service June 2.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
News from © The Associated Press, 2020