The body of a Filipino fisherman washed himself on a beach in Vanuatu, where he tested positive for COVID-19 – leading the Pacific island country to ban the trip for three days.
The remains were discovered on April 11 near the capital Port Vila on the island of Efate, Radio New Zealand reported.
The body gave positive results for the fatal error after being taken to the local grave.
After the fisherman’s body was located on the beach, a British-flagged oil tanker was detained by authorities.
Earlier that day, the ship discovered that a crew member was missing while leaving Port Vila. He was ordered to return to port as a search and rescue mission was launched, according to CNN.
In response, Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman announced that the government is issuing a three-day ban on travel from Efate as contacts are being pursued.
He appealed to the public to undergo voluntary tests for the disease.
Russell Tamata, the director general of health, confirmed that 16 people were quarantined at a hotel, most of them 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 ashore.
The country reported only three cases of the disease, according to CNN, which quoted data from Johns Hopkins University. He reported his first case in November and two more in March.
