Coronavirus: 88 more infections confirmed on Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan
- A health ministry official also indicated on Tuesday that ‘around 500 people’ would leave the ship on Wednesday
- Japan has been forced to defend its handling of the situation, as dozens of new infections have been detected almost daily since early February
The new cases came from a total of 681 fresh results, the ministry said, taking the total number of positive cases on the Diamond Princess to 542. One person in Japan has died from the illness so far.
A health ministry official also indicated on Tuesday that “around 500 people” would leave the ship on Wednesday, although “the number is changing, largely because it is up to passengers [if they get off]”.
Japan has been forced to defend its policy amid criticism for the way it handled the situation, with dozens of new infections detected almost daily since the ship arrived in early February. Authorities say the virus is now being transmitted locally, and have asked citizens to avoid crowds and non-essential gatherings.
The new cases on the cruise ship will be sent to specialised hospitals, the ministry said in a statement, without giving further details such as their nationalities. Of those who tested positive, 65 were not yet showing symptoms.