After almost one year of lockdown and social distancing protocols in the Federated States of Micronesia, the virus that has caused a global pandemic has reached the shores of Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
The virus arrived and has stayed, onboard the MV Chief Mailo, currently anchored offshore in Pohnpei territorial waters. The MV Chief Mailo arrived in Pohnpei waters, much to the surprise of Pohnpei State officials on January 3, 2021, after departing the Philippines on December 24, 2020. The surprise came because MV Chief Mailo is not homeported in Pohnpei, no State officials were aware of their arrival and their homeport of Chuuk State did not allow the vessel to enter because of positive COVID-19 cases that were reported earlier while the ship was in dry dock in the Philippines.
While one case has been reported positive, the case is called an imported/border case by the National Government and Pohnpei State Government is ensuring no member of the crew disembarks for the time being. Strict 24/7 security is in place. A health crew boarded to conduct tests and was dressed out in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). As a precautionary measure, they were placed in quarantine for one week, tested negative for COVID-19, and will be tested before they leave quarantine.
Meanwhile, a 12-year-old boy from the Chuuk Island of Polowat who was lost at sea and recovered from the Philippines is one of two passengers on board the MV Chief Mailo. His ordeal started almost one year ago in February of 2020 when he and his Uncle were lost at sea. His Uncle died at sea and the child was found in Mindanao, the Philippines in April of 2020. What a heartbreaking and amazing journey this 12-year-old boy has had so far.
So, there you have it. Only the Republic of Palau remains COVID free with many repatriations under her belt. The great news is that vaccines have reached this part of the world and first responders have already received their first dose. Another shipment of vaccine is expected to arrive or already has arrived. Wonderful!
Links:
Joint FSM/Pohnpei Press Release on the MV Chief Mailo and positive COVID-19 case
Message from FSM National Government
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Image by Ajay kumar Singh from Pixabay
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