BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected global health. In May 2021, there was a COVID-19 outbreak on board a ship in Songkhla Province, Thailand. Isolation and quarantine were conducted as the vessel was highly favorable for contracting and spreading infectious diseases because of environmental contamination and sharing of facilities.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated how a COVID-19 outbreak onboard a ship in Thailand was controlled.
METHODS
This was a retrospective study that used data on the management of a COVID-19 outbreak on an offshore support vessel in mid-to-late May 2021. The data consisted of a summary of the event; the process of port entry screening for COVID-19; case identification by a laboratory; the process of management to control the outbreak, including active case location and isolation; identification of contact cases and quarantine; treatment; telemedicine and the result of health monitoring; and serial COVID-19 testing for those in close contact with infected persons. These data were analyzed, discussed, and summarized.
RESULTS
The first wave of infection involved 20.7% of the crew members (6/29). The second wave involved 4.35% (1/23). All cases worked on deck.
CONCLUSIONS
The management approach stopped disease transmission and none of the patients experienced severe complications. Therefore, the processes may be helpful for future management of COVID-19 outbreaks onboard ships.