DFA: Over 500 Filipino crew aboard cruise ship awaiting test results for coronavirus
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Friday that there are over 500 Filipino crew members of a cruise ship now anchored off Northern California on suspicion of carrying the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez confirmed this to reporters in a Viber message.
“We confirm that there are Filipino crew members on board the MV Grand Princess, and in similar number as the Diamond Princess of around 530 – 540 Filipino crew out of 1,111 total crew,” Meñez initially said.
“We do not have confirmations about Filipino passengers yet,” he added.
In a later message, Meñez clarified that the “most recent info puts the exact number of Filipino crew at 518.”
Article continues after this advertisementMeñez noted that there are “passengers and crew of unidentified nationalities who are exhibiting symptoms and are being tested accordingly” aboard the Grand Princess.
Edited by MUF
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