7 sailors on the hospital ship Mercy test positive for COVID-19

The COVID-19 coronavirus is spreading through the crew of the USNS Mercy, with seven sailors testing positive as of Tuesday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cmdr. John Fage, a 3rd Fleet spokesman, told the newspaper that the sailors and people who came into close contact with them have all left the ship and are now in quarantine. The Mercy arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on March 27 from San Diego, in order to treat local patients who do not have COVID-19. Fage said the outbreak has not affected the ship's ability to take on patients, and all are tested for COVID-19 before coming aboard.

There are more than 1,000 people serving on the Mercy's medical staff, and one sailor told the Union-Tribune that several worked at the Naval Medical Center San Diego prior to deploying to the Mercy. While there, some rotated through the COVID-19 screening area, the sailor said, and there are concerns that they brought the virus on the ship.

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