28 migrants test positive after sea rescue
Dozens of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean have tested positive for coronavirus while held in a quarantine ship off the southern Italian coast.
That's according to Sicily's regional leader.
Back in April, Italy banned migrant rescue ships run by NGOs from docking in its ports until the end of July due to the pandemic.
It now transfers all those saved at sea onto large ferries which must wait off its coast.
After rescuing more than 200 people stranded at sea last week, the Sea-Watch 3 charity boat arrived in Sicily on Sunday (June 21).
The passengers were immediately moved a ferry where 28 of them -- or 13%-- tested positive.
German NGO Sea-Watch said in a statement that it had informed authorities of a suspicious case before disembarking the migrants.
The person was later found positive after being hospitalized.
Italy's interior ministry said all the positive or suspect cases had been isolated on the Moby Zaza to prevent further infections.
Sea-Watch has appealed to the German government to support Italy in dealing with the situation and has requested a coronavirus test for the 22 members of its crew.
