Diamond Princess Quarantined, 10 People Test Positive for Coronavirus

Ten people on Princess CruisesDiamond Princess have tested positive for the coronavirus, the cruise line reports: Two Australian guests, three Japanese guests, three guests from Hong Kong, one guest from the United States and one crew member from the Philippines. The ship will remain under quarantine in Yokohama, Japan, for at least 14 days as required by Japan’s Ministry of Health. 

The 10 people with the coronavirus have been notified, taken ashore by the Japanese Coast Guard and transported to local hospitals for care, Princess said. The ship, meanwhile, plans to go out to sea to perform normal marine operations including, but not limited to, the production of fresh water and ballast operations before proceeding alongside in Yokohama. There, food, provisions and other supplies will be brought onboard. 

“Guests will continue to be provided complimentary internet and telephone to use in order to stay in contact with their family and loved ones, and the ship’s crew is working to keep all guests comfortable,” the cruise line said in a written statement. “Princess Cruises will continue to fully cooperate with and follow the instructions of global medical authorities and the Japanese government.”

The next two cruises on the Diamond Princess, departing Yokohama February 4 and 12, have been cancelled, and Princess has begun notifying affected guests. 

There are currently 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew onboard the Diamond Princess, covering a range of nationalities. Approximately half of the guests are from Japan, Princess said. 

The Diamond Princess had arrived in Yokohama early from a 14-day round trip itinerary, which had departed on January 20 and had been scheduled to return February 4. On that voyage, a guest from Hong Kong had embarked in Yokohama on January 20, sailed one segment of the itinerary and disembarked in Hong Kong on January 25. On February 1, he visited a local hospital in Hong Kong, where he tested positive for coronavirus. After that, the Diamond Princess was held in Yokohama so that Japanese health authorities could carry out tests on guests and crew onboard. 

There are currently over 20,600 cases of the coronavirus in 24 countries, according to the latest update from the World Health Organization. There have been 426 deaths thus far, all except one in China

This article originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.

Related Articles

Coronavirus: U.S. Adds New Travel Restrictions, Screenings

Regent Prohibits Travelers Who Have Been to China From Boarding

Costa Smeralda Resumes Sailing, Passenger Cleared of Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Delta, American Suspend All Flights to China