Confirmed Cluster of 10 New Coronavirus Infections on Large Japanese Cruise Ship

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 5th, NHK and other broadcasters reported that 10 people were infected in a cluster on a large Japanese cruise ship carrying a Hong Kong resident confirmed to have contracted the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). The confirmed patients were transferred to hospitals, while the remaining passengers and crew members are staying on the cruise ship considering the incubation period.

According to reports, the Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that out of approximately 3,700 passengers and crew members on the large cruise ship "Diamond Princess," which is anchored off Yokohama Port, 10 tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection.

Earlier, an elderly man in his 80s residing in Hong Kong, who had boarded this cruise ship, disembarked in Hong Kong on the 25th of last month and was confirmed as infected with the novel coronavirus on the 2nd. Following this, the Japanese government docked the cruise ship upon its return and has been checking the health status of all onboard since the 3rd.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare collected specimens from 273 people who had contact with the infected Hong Kong resident or showed symptoms such as fever and cough, and announced that 10 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Among the infected, three were Japanese, three Chinese, three Australian, one American, and one Filipino crew member. By age group, there were four in their 50s, four in their 60s, one in their 70s, and one in their 80s.

Japanese authorities transferred the 10 confirmed positive cases to medical institutions within Kanagawa Prefecture, where Yokohama is located, for treatment. The remaining passengers and crew are staying onboard for about two weeks, considering the virus's incubation period. NHK reported, citing a passenger on the cruise ship, that there was an instruction to remain in their rooms and that meals were being provided via room service to all cabins.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the same day and said, "We will prioritize checking the health status of passengers and crew while taking all possible measures to prevent the spread of infection." The Japanese government announced the day before that three additional cases of novel coronavirus infection had been confirmed. As a result, the total number of confirmed cases in Japan, including the 10 on the cruise ship, has risen to 33.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.