Pacific / French Polynesia

Ecuadorian fishermen suspected of Covid-19 in Tahiti hospital

10:39 am on 22 May 2020

French military Casa plane in Nuku Hiva Photo: supplied FB

An Ecuadorian fisherman suspected of suffering from Covid-19 has been flown to French Polynesia's main hospital.
 
He was one of 30 people on board a purse seiner, which arrived in the Marquesas islands to seek urgent medical assistance.
 
The ship, the Charo, anchored in an uninhabited bay off Nuku Hiva where doctors tested all 29, with results expected tomorrow.
 
Media reports say the entire crew showed signs of Covid-19.
 
The French military flew one of the men to Tahiti in an operation which also involved the urgent medical aid service, SAMU, and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Tahiti.
 
The ship had been at sea for a month.