10 More New Coronavirus Cases on Japanese Cruise Ship... "20 Cases in Two Days"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] According to NHK and other broadcasters on the 6th, 10 additional patients tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection on a large Japanese cruise ship where a Hong Kong resident confirmed with COVID-19 was aboard. In two days, a total of 20 patients have been confirmed infected on this cruise ship.

According to reports, Japan's Ministry 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. Following the 10 infected cases reported the previous day, 10 more infections were confirmed within a day.

The Ministry collected and tested samples from 273 individuals who had contact with the Hong Kong infected person or showed symptoms such as fever and cough. Among the 102 people whose test results have been released so far, 20 were confirmed infected. Since the test results of 171 individuals are still pending, the number of patients may increase.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that among the 10 newly confirmed infected individuals, elderly people and non-Japanese nationals were included. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare sent the additional confirmed patients to medical institutions within Kanagawa Prefecture, where Yokohama Port is located.

Earlier, an 80-year-old man residing in Hong Kong who had been aboard this cruise ship disembarked in Hong Kong on the 25th of last month and was confirmed 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 cruise ship carries a total of 3,711 people, including 2,666 passengers from 56 countries and regions including Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (1,281 Japanese nationals), and 1,045 crew members.

The remaining passengers and crew are staying onboard for about two weeks until the 19th, considering the virus incubation period. The cruise ship is anchored offshore, separated from Yokohama Port, and docked at the pier this morning to receive food and supplies.

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