Crew Members Onboard Docked Cargo Ship Test Positive To COVID-19

UPDATE: Twenty crew members onboard the Ken Hou ship docked in Fremantle have tested positive after receiving their COVID test results.

The ship avoided its path which was set for Albany, after reports from authorities that 16 of 22 crew members were suffering respiratory problems and elevated temperatures.

The Ken Hou was last at a port in Thailand.

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20 of the 22 crew members have returned a positive result for COVID after the ship berthed in Fremantle.

Medical teams boarded the docked ship on Monday, taking extra precautions on the bulk-carrier.

Australian Medical Association WA President Dr Mark Duncan-Smith says if an outbreak was to spurr from this, it would leave the hospital system in a difficult situation.

"We're very concerned. Our medical system is on it's knees without COVID. If COVID gets out into the community, especially the Delta variant. that could be a big crisis."

Premier Mark McGowan said a plan for the vessel has not yet been reached.

"It all depends on health advice and the condition of the crew, whether they can isolate on board, whether they're well enough to run the ship's systems," he said.

Elsewhere, McGowan has called for fresh modelling in relation to NSW's rising case numbers.

WA Health is monitoring four active COVID-19 cases who are all currently in hotel quarantine.

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