Health officials in Washington’s Whatcom County reported 25 new cases of covid-19 among the crews of two more American Seafood-operated factory trawlers after they arrived in Bellingham to offload June 3.
Test results were reported Thursday night for those crew members from the 285-foot American Triumph and the 336-foot Northern Jaeger, which typically carry crews of 130 and 135 respectively.
“On the Northern Jaeger, one crew member reported feeling ill on-board last week and was transported to the hospital where they have tested negative for covid-19. The crew member is in the hospital recovering from their illness,” according to a statement issued by the company June 3 .
“We’re conducting these tests out of an abundance of caution,” said American Seafoods CEO Mikel Durham. “Protecting the health of our crew members and the communities where we operate is a top priority for us.”
The Whatcom County Health Department announced the 25 positively tested crewmembers from the American Triumph and Northern Jaeger entered isolation in Bellingham.
The American Dynasty docked at the Port of Seattle on the night of May 31 and all its crew entered quarantine, quartered in lodging acquired by King County health officials for covid-positive persons.
Before sailing for the Pacific whiting season in mid-May, American Seafood screened all the crew members and allowed only those who tested negative for coronavirus to board.