Sunday’s sailing of the LeConte from Haines was canceled after a ferry crew member tested positive for COVID-19.
The Alaska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) determined that a different infectious person may have traveled on the vessel between July 21 and July 31 and “it is unknown if the person was a passenger or crew member,” according to an Alaska Marine Highway System press release.
The crewmember who tested positive recently returned home after working a two-week rotation. No close contacts were identified in Juneau or on the vessel, according to the press release.
On Saturday, 23 LeConte crewmembers tested negative.
“LeConte’s previous crew, who begin their next rotation on August 14, are currently undergoing testing before returning to work,” the press release says. “When crew members report aboard a vessel, at every crew change, AMHS operating procedure requires evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within seven days before reporting for duty.”
The LeConte began sailing again Tuesday.