Preliminary results of whole genome sequencing from three crew members of the Playa Zahara fishing vessel show they have the Delta variant of COVID-19.
The results also show the variant isn’t linked to any previously confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Zealand or to a second fishing vessel the Viking Bay, which is currently quarantined in Wellington.
Sixteen of the 18 crew of the Spanish-flagged vessel have tested positive for COVID-19 and the Playa Zahara is currently on its way to Lyttelton.
Swabs were taken when the crew first arrived at Port Taranaki on Tuesday after reports of a flu-like illness on board. Standard Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocol, including the appropriate use of PPE, was used throughout the crew’s testing.