The body of a Filipino fisherman has been dragged to a beach in Vanuatu, where he has tested positive for COVID-19, which has led the Pacific island country to ban outbound trips for three days.
The remains were discovered on April 11 near the capital, Port Vila, on Efate Island, Radio New Zealand reported.
The body tested positive for the fatal error after being taken to the local funeral home.
After locating the fisherman’s body on the beach, a UK-flagged oil tanker was arrested by authorities.
Earlier in the day, the ship discovered that a crew member was missing when leaving Port Vila. According to CNN, he was ordered to return to port when a search and rescue mission began.
In response, Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman announced that the government was issuing an order to ban outbound travel from Efate for three days while contacts were being made.
He appealed to the public to undergo voluntary tests for the disease.
Russell Tamata, the director general of health, confirmed that 16 people have been quarantined in a hotel, mostly police officers who were at the scene when the body was found.
It was unclear whether the man died of COVID-19 or how he came to wash the floor.
The country has only reported three cases of the disease, according to CNN, which cites data from Johns Hopkins University. He reported his first case in November and two more in March.
