Japan finds 65 more coronavirus infections on Diamond Princess cruise ship
- The number of coronavirus cases on board the vessel quarantined in Yokohama has risen to 135
- The health ministry is considering testing all of the 3,700 people aboard the ship when the two-week quarantine ends
That brings total cases on the ship docked in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, to 135. Officials said they are double checking the results and could not immediately release the exact figure but that would increase Japan’s total number of infections to 161 cases.
Japanese authorities have so far tested about 280 people on board the Diamond Princess, which was placed on a two-week quarantine after a former passenger, who disembarked in Hong Kong last month, was diagnosed with the coronavirus.
About 3,700 people are on board the vessel, which usually has a crew of 1,100 and a passenger capacity of 2,670.
One of those found infected is in serious condition. The government now plans to test dozens more elderly people as it investigates whether there were any issues with hygiene control on the ship.
“We are considering testing, if possible, all those over 80 years old who are in ill health,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Monday.
The health ministry also said it is considering testing all of the 3,700 people aboard the ship when the two-week quarantine ends. Once their results are clear, they can leave the vessel.