Coronavirus case suspected aboard cargo ship MV Corona

The cargo ship MV Corona is under quarantine in Cape Town harbour because of a coronavirus scare.

The general cargo carrier has featured prominently on social media in recent weeks due to its unfortunate name, according to Times Live.

Now the joke has turned into reality, with two crew members in isolation, and one of them showing symptoms of Covid-19.

Seemingly two crew members flew into the country from Istanbul, Turkey, on March 9. Only one of the two is showing signs of being ill. However, both have been placed into isolation.

The ship, which left Cape Town harbour on March 11, sent a mayday signal to SA’s maritime rescue co-ordination centre, requesting it be allowed to return to Cape Town so that the crew member could be evacuated.