Sixteen of the 18 crew of the Spanish-flagged Playa Zahara have tested positive. The swabs were taken in Port Taranaki on Tuesday after reports of a flu-like illness on board. The Playa Zahara is now heading south towards Christchurch after a number of crew members reportedly tested positive for Covid-19. "No Port Taranaki staff or other port workers went onboard the vessel or had contact with those on the vessel," Port Taranaki chief executive Guy Roper said. A further 13 crew members tested positive this week and have been transferred to an on-shore managed isolation facility in Wellington.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 14, 2021 22:09 UTC