Positive COVID cases recorded on board HMAS Adelaide

The Department of Defence has recorded 23 positive COVID cases on board HMAS Adelaide.

The cases were detected after HMAS Adelaide set sail to Tonga as part of Operation TONGA ASSIST, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)-led effort to support the Government of Tonga following the eruption of Tonga’s Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano on 15 January 2022.

Defence has stringent COVID-safe measures in place to manage COVID-19 exposure risks.

The positive COVID cases, and close contacts, are being isolated and managed in accordance with COVID-safe protocols. HMAS Adelaide has excellent medical facilities on board, including COVID testing capabilities and a 40-bed hospital with operating theatres and a critical care ward.

Personnel are asymptomatic or displaying mild symptoms – a benefit of all crew being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

HMAS Adelaide will continue her mission to support the Tongan relief efforts, carrying humanitarian and medical supplies, engineering equipment and helicopters to support logistics and distribution.

HMAS Adelaide is expected to arrive off the coast of Tonga, as planned, in the early hours of Wednesday 26 January 2022.

Defence recognises the COVID-free status of Tonga, and will ensure the humanitarian supplies and equipment on board are delivered in a COVID-safe manner.

The ADF has significant experience conducting COVID-19 safe regional responses, including in Fiji following Tropical Cyclone Yasa, which will help contribute to the success and safety of this response.

Our thoughts remain with the people of Tonga who have been affected by this disaster.