The number of positive cases of the new coronavirus identified on the cruise ship Diamond Princess in quarantine near Yokohama (suburbs of Tokyo) has risen to 355, announced Sunday the Japanese Minister of Health.
“So far we have tested 1,219 people, and 355 have tested positive,” Katsunobu Kato said in a morning political broadcast on the NHK public broadcaster. , 73 are symptom-free, he said.
More than 3,700 passengers and crew were cruising on this vessel when a passenger disembarked in Hong Kong several weeks ago were found positive for the coronavirus previously appeared in the Chinese city of Wuhan. This initial case on the ship led to the quarantine of the Diamond Princess in a port in Japan. Since then, over the days and tests, the number of cases has continued to increase.
Diamond Princess passenger quarantine is scheduled to end on February 19, but recent developments could affect this schedule.
Those affected are transferred to specially equipped hospitals in Japan, while the other confined passengers try to occupy themselves, sometimes with objects sent from outside. Aun Na Tan, a passenger of the “Diamond Princess” from Australia, tweeted on Wednesday a package containing a set of Uno, two sachets of pearls, threads of scoubidous, puzzles and treats.
Day 8 Quarantine update: @kaitlynsohh received more goodies! The youth club received some generous donations sent to them and someone must have heard that kaitlyn loves Kpop! She got #uno #bts (her favourite is #twice #ateez). And we have jigsaw puzzles!… https://t.co/FGw6bXSRLd pic.twitter.com/wln6JXK1Jj
— Aun Na Tan (@qtiepie) February 12, 2020
Matthew Smith, an American lawyer who is also on board, made up his mind to document the quarantine by sharing photos of the meals served on board.
Princess stepping up its game with food service on #DiamondPrincess. Don't believe the honeymooners who would rather be in an American hospital. You might have to drag me off the ship when the quarantine ends. pic.twitter.com/JA4fb2C54S
— Matthew Smith (@mjswhitebread) February 7, 2020
Further Culinary Adventures in Quarantine: So, no critique intended, but since when are corn, peas, and pearl onions considered a breakfast dish? pic.twitter.com/pnTsnWp2eb
— Matthew Smith (@mjswhitebread) February 15, 2020
Pineapple, pasta salad, deconstructed cottage pie, chocolate cake, and Smoky & Spicy ramen. pic.twitter.com/LyqDx9eJJ0
— Matthew Smith (@mjswhitebread) February 16, 2020
Evacuated passengers
The US government has decided to evacuate its healthy nationals. A plane must be specially chartered in order to repatriate them to the United States for a quarantine of 14 days on two military bases. About 350 American citizens remained on the boat on Saturday.
The Hong Kong government also announced on Saturday that it would take over some 330 nationals on the ship to repatriate them by air.
Australian media have reported that Canberra is also considering the option of evacuation.
In addition, in addition to 355 cases of the ship, the Japanese authorities confirmed that 53 other people on Japanese territory had been infected with the coronavirus in different regions, with traceability difficult to establish for an increasing number of cases.
Experts believe that “patients affected by the coronavirus can now appear anywhere in Japan” and that citizens should take as many precautions as possible (wash their hands very frequently, wear masks, disinfect objects, etc. ).
The death toll from mainland China caused by the new coronavirus approached 1,700 on Sunday, while the first death outside Asia was reported on Saturday in France.
