25 American Seafoods employees test positive for COVID-19

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — More than two dozen crew members on two American Seafoods vessels docked in Washington state tested positive for the coronavirus, health officials said.

The Whatcom County Health Department has reported that 25 crew members tested positive for COVID-19 after docking in Bellingham to offload product on Wednesday, The Bellingham Herald reported Thursday.

Fishery company American Seafoods announced employees on the American Triumph and the Northern Jaeger were being tested for the coronavirus as a precaution.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority of people recover.

The crew members will be isolated at the county’s quarantine facility in Bellingham, health officials said.

The announcement came less than a week after the company said 86 crew members on a separate commercial fishing vessel tested positive for COVID-19 after docking in the city on May 28.

The crew did not show symptoms and stayed on the ship until it returned to Seattle and was under quarantine there, company officials said.

“The crew has access to any required medical care, and we are thrilled with the support that the agencies we are working with have provided. We have also put in place preparedness procedures in the event of a virus outbreak. Those plans are being fully executed right now,” CEO Mikel Durham said.