LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Seven sailors aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy have been diagnosed with coronavirus and were among 116 personnel removed from the ship in an attempt to prevent a full-blown outbreak, Navy officials said today.
Those removed from the ship were taken to an undisclosed base in Los Angeles, the Navy said, adding that all crew members who were in close contact with the infected sailors have since tested negative.
It was unclear how or when the sailors became infected as all personnel were tested before the ship left port in San Diego on March 23, the Navy said. It arrived in Los Angeles March 27.
The removal of sailors and personnel will not disrupt treatment of patients onboard the ship, Cmdr. John Fage, spokesman for the U.S. 3rd Fleet, told Navy Times.
“The ship is following protocols and taking every precaution to ensure the health and safety of all crew members and patients on board,” Fage said.
The Mercy is treating 20 non-coronavirus patients, including one in intensive care, the Navy said.
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