"Was Supposed to Be Negative" Two Australians Returning from Japanese Cruise Ship Later Test Positive

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Two Australians who had tested negative for COVID-19 on a cruise ship in Japan, where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus occurred, tested positive after returning home on a chartered flight. Hundreds of Japanese and others who were tested under the same conditions have already disembarked from the cruise ship, raising concerns about further spread.

According to NHK and other broadcasts, the Australian Department of Health announced that among the 164 Australians who stayed on the Diamond Princess, docked at Yokohama Port in Japan, and returned home on a chartered flight the previous day, two tested positive for COVID-19. Although only those who tested negative for the virus were allowed to board the chartered flight home, six showed symptoms such as fever, and after immediate isolation and investigation, two were confirmed positive.

The Australian Department of Health stated, "Although all tests were conducted before the chartered flight departure, testing positive after returning home was within the expected range," and added that all measures would be taken to prevent further spread of the infection.

Japan has been allowing those who meet the same conditions as the returning Australians to disembark sequentially without additional quarantine since the 19th. The Japanese government judged that those who showed no symptoms such as fever and tested negative as of the 19th, after completing the two-week quarantine period that began on the 5th when cabin isolation started, posed no risk of spreading COVID-19 and allowed them to disembark.

However, as some who met the same conditions and returned to Australia on a chartered flight on the 20th were later confirmed positive, there is a possibility that they were exposed to the virus and infected after cabin isolation began on the 5th. The Japanese government disembarked 717 passengers from the Diamond Princess on the 19th and 20th. Up to 450 passengers are expected to disembark from the Diamond Princess on the 21st as well.

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