North MP calls for update after cluster of Covid-19 cases on Cromarty Firth ship
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North MP Jamie Stone has sought an update from NHS Highland on what steps it is taking to contain the spread of coronavirus after news of a second cluster of Covid-19 cases on a ship docked in the Cromarty Firth, leaving crew members to quarantine on board.
The ship is understood to be the EnQuest Producer, a floating production vessel, though neither NHS Highland nor Highland Council would confirm details.
It is the second month running when a ship related to the oil and gas industry has reported cases of Covid in the Easter Ross area after the Norwegian vessel Normand Energy docked last month at Invergordon.
Mr Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said: “First of all, let me say that my heart goes out to the crew and I send them all my very best.
"Local people need cast-iron reassurances now from NHS Highland about what steps it is taking to prevent any chance of a potential infection spreading onshore."
Concerns have been raised locally about the welfare of the crew and whether any of them had been ashore prior to the positive tests at Global Energy Group's Port of Nigg, where the EnQuest Producer is docked.
The ship had been operating at the Alma/Galia fields until the EnQuest got a cessation of production on June 30 with the EnQuest Producer moving off station around the start of September to the oil terminal jetty at Nigg. The company is investigating options regarding its future.
The health board's director of public health, Dr Tim Allison, said: “NHS Highland is aware of a vessel docked in Nigg in which a small number of crew have tested positive for Covid-19.
“NHS Highland’s health protection team is working with environmental health officers in Highland Council and all relevant partner agencies to ensure the safety of all the crew on board. There is no risk to the wider community.”
A spokesman for the council said: “The operators informed us of a crew member who reported as having a positive response to a Covid test when the crew were recently tested. Following consultations with Highland health protection team, the crew were considered to be close contacts and should self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
“Consultations with the operators and the port health team are continuing to support the crew throughout the isolation period.”
EnQuest was asked to comment but did not respond.
