Ketchikan Daily News
Two crew members aboard the state ferry Matanuska have tested positive for COVID-19, the Alaska Marine Highway System reported Monday.
A member of the Matanuska’s engineering crew began showing symptoms while the ferry was sailing northbound to Ketchikan from Bellingham, Washington, according to the AMHS statement.
“The ship’s captain followed the AMHS COVID-19 mitigation plan and quarantined the crew member in their cabin with the ventilation system turned off,” the state said. When the ship arrived in Ketchikan on Sunday, the crew member was taken to the hospital, where they tested positive for COVID-19.
Contact tracing coordinated with Ketchikan and the state identified no passengers as close contacts, according to the ferry system. However, “testing located one additional positive case among the engineering crew.”
In accordance with state guidelines, both crew members are required to isolate for at least 10 days.
The first crew member is isolating in a Ketchikan hotel, according to AMHS. The second crew member was to quarantine aboard the Matanuska until the ferry reached Juneau at about 11 a.m. Monday, and then complete the isolation period at home.
The Matanuska was delayed in its Ketchikan departure for about 11 hours on Sunday, while the ferry system brought in replacement crew. The ferry was anticipated to be back on schedule when it departed southbound from Juneau on Monday evening.
“The crew will receive follow-up testing when the Matanuska arrives in Ketchikan on Wednesday,” the ferry system said.
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