Passengers aboard the Diamond Princess face a two-week quarantine after 20 people tested positive with coronavirus. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Passengers aboard the Diamond Princess face a two-week quarantine after 20 people tested positive with coronavirus. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
A New Zealander on board a cruise ship has tested positive for coronavirus.
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was giving consular assistance to the sick Kiwi who was on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan.
Mfat would not provide any further information about the person besides saying they were one of 13 New Zealanders on the ship.
Health workers said 10 more people from the Diamond Princess were confirmed ill with the virus, in addition to 10 others who tested positive on Wednesday.
"[The latest infections] include four Japanese guests, one guest from Taiwan, two Americans, two Canadians and one guest from New Zealand," a Carnival Cruise spokesman said.
They were being taken to the hospital immediately by local public health authorities for further tests and treatment. Most were in their 60s and 70s.
(2/2)All guests & crew will remain onboard under quarantine in Yokohama for at least 14 days, as required by health authorities. Guests continue to have complimentary internet and phone use to stay in contact with loved ones. Further updates found here: https://t.co/LQUwWxsUDy
"The health and safety of our guests and crew remains our top priority. We continue to work closely with the Japan Ministry of Health on all protocols and procedures while ensuring the comfort of our guests," the Carnival Cruise spokesman said.
Some passengers are seen on the Diamond Princess covering their faces as the cruise ship is anchored at Yokohama Port. Photo / AP
"The ship 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 where food, provisions, and other supplies will be brought onboard," the company said in a statement.
"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."
Thirty-three people are now confirmed to be infected with coronavirus in Japan.
Globally, the respiratory virus has killed more than 560 people and more than 28,000 are infected.
CNN reported that the ship docked and was placed under quarantine after a former passenger was confirmed to have the deadly virus.
An 80-year-old man from Hong Kong, who disembarked the ship 12 days ago, later tested positive for coronavirus at hospital.
"While on the ship he did not visit the ship's medical centre to report any symptoms or illness," a Princess Cruises statement said.
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato told a news conference on Wednesday morning that then 10 confirmed cases were among the results of the 273 people tested so far.
There are 2666 guests and 1045 crew members on board the ship, Princess Cruises said in a statement to CNN News.
People who had shown symptoms such as fevers or those who had been in close contact with others displaying symptoms of the virus were tested by health officials, public broadcaster NHK reported.
Cruises due to depart Yokohama and the western Japanese port of Kobe are cancelled due to delays related to the coronavirus checks, Carnival's Princess Cruises Japan said on Tuesday.
