23 Personnel On Australia's HMAS Adelaide Warship Carrying Aid To Tonga Infected With COVID-19

Australian military aid delivery to Tonga. (Source: Australian Ministry of Defence/Corporal Robert Whitmore)

JAKARTA - About two dozen cases of COVID-19 infection have been recorded among the crew of an Australian warship, which is expected to arrive in coronavirus-free Tonga on Wednesday to deliver humanitarian aid, Australian authorities said Tuesday.

Tonga, hit by a massive volcanic eruption and tsunami on January 15, has asked for aid to be delivered without human contact amid fears the COVID outbreak will devastate the tiny Pacific island nation.

Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said 23 personnel aboard HMAS Adelaide had tested positive for COVID-19. The ship, with a crew of about 600, left Brisbane on Friday carrying a large amount of humanitarian aid and medical supplies, helicopters, water purification equipment and a contingent of Australian Army engineers.

According to the plan, the ship was scheduled to arrive in Tonga on Wednesday morning, the Defense Ministry said.

"We will be working with Tongan authorities to keep the ship at sea, to ensure there is no threat and it is clear the Tongan government is discussing it at this time," Minister Dutton told Sky News, as quoted by Reuters on January 25.

"Obviously they really need help but they don't want the risk of COVID-19," he continued.

Australian military aid delivery to Tonga. (Source: Australian Ministry of Defence/Corporal Robert Whitmore)

In a subsequent statement, the Department of Defense said HMAS Adelaide will continue its mission, and ensure aid is delivered in a manner that is safe from the spread of COVID-19.

"Positive COVID cases, and close contacts, are being isolated," the Defense Ministry statement said, adding the ship had medical facilities including a 40-bed hospital with critical care wards, as well as COVID testing capabilities.

Which is a bit of a relief, all the crew have been vaccinated and 23 positive cases of COVID are asymptomatic or mild symptoms.

Meanwhile, relief flights from Australia and New Zealand arrived in Tonga last week with essential supplies, with the delivery of goods being made contactless. One Australian relief flight was forced to return to base when a COVID-19 case was detected mid-flight.

A New Zealand aid ship landed last week and more aid is on its way by air and sea from New Zealand, Japan and the UK.

The United Nations, the Red Cross and other aid agencies in Tonga have warned that the COVID-19 outbreak on the island would be catastrophic this time.

To note, the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano triggered a tsunami that destroyed villages and resorts and cut communication for the country of about 105,000 people. Three people were reported dead, authorities said.