Japan Considers Testing All Passengers on Cruise Ship Amid New Coronavirus Cluster Infections

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 10th, the Japanese government announced that it is considering conducting novel coronavirus tests on all passengers aboard the cruise ship "Diamond Princess," where a large number of COVID-19 (Wuhan pneumonia) cases have been reported.

According to NHK and other broadcasts, Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Katsunobu Kato stated at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting that the policy of having about 3,600 remaining passengers on the cruise ship stay in their cabins until the 14th of this month remains unchanged.

Minister Kato explained, "There are many infections on board, and we are considering the claim that passengers should be checked once when leaving the ship. We are conducting a detailed review to determine whether we can respond if testing is conducted or not. If possible, we would like to do it, but at this stage, it is not a situation where we can assert 'we can do it'." He added, "If testing is done when disembarking, passengers will wait for the results before leaving," suggesting that the onboard waiting period could be extended if all approximately 3,600 passengers are tested.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a regular briefing that novel coronavirus tests are currently being conducted on necessary individuals among the cruise ship passengers. Secretary Suga said, "Considering testing capacity and other factors, tests are being prioritized for those with higher priority. PCR tests for the novel coronavirus are being conducted on people who newly develop fever symptoms and close contacts, and at the same time, tests are being conducted as much as possible on those aged 80 and above who are in poor health."

Regarding reports that the U.S. government has expressed its intention to transport Americans quarantined on the Diamond Princess by themselves to the Japanese government, he said, "We are having various discussions with the U.S. government regarding the response to this matter, but I would like to refrain from commenting on the details." He added, "However, in any case, we will continue to cooperate firmly with related countries, including the U.S., in responding to the novel coronavirus."

In response to concerns about a shortage of necessary medicines on the cruise ship, Secretary Suga emphasized, "We distributed 150 doses of urgent medicines such as insulin by yesterday. We have brought 600 doses of medicines on board and are distributing them sequentially. We will respond promptly."

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