250 Canadians quarantined on cruise ship – coronavirus
10 people test positive for coronavirus on board Diamond Princess
TOKYO, February 5, 2020 – Diamond Princess Cruises has confirmed that 251 Canadians are currently aboard a cruise ship that is being quarantined for 14 days near Yokohama, Japan.
After a health screening conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Health, revealed that 10 people aboard the Diamond Princess have tested positive for Coronavirus. None of the infected guests are Canadian.
The 10 people infected are being transported to a local hospital in Japan for treatment. Three Japanese travellers, three travellers from Hong Kong, two Australian guests, and one guest from the U.S. have caught the virus, as well as one Filipino crew member.
The statement reads, “These 10 persons, who have been notified, will be taken ashore by Japanese Coast Guard watercraft and transported to local hospitals for care by shoreside Japanese medical professionals. It has been confirmed that the ship will remain under quarantine in Yokohama. The length of the quarantine will be at least 14 days as required by the Ministry of Health.”
Princess Cruises confirmed there are 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew currently onboard covering a range of nationalities. About half the guests are from Japan.
Diamond Princess arrived in Yokohama early from a 14-day round trip itinerary, which departed from Yokohama (Tokyo) on January 20 and was scheduled to return on February 4.
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.
According to the 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.
On the ship’s previous voyage a guest from Hong Kong, embarked in Yokohama on January 20, sailed one segment of the itinerary, and disembarked in Hong Kong on January 25. He visited a local Hong Kong hospital, six days after leaving the ship, where he later tested positive for coronavirus on February 1. While on the ship he did not visit the ship’s medical centre to report any symptoms or illness. The hospital reports that he is in stable condition and the family members traveling with him remain symptom-free.
Diamond Princess will also be cancelling their next two cruises. “We will also be cancelling the next two Diamond Princess cruises departing Yokohama (Feb 4 and Feb 12) and will begin notifying guests today,” said a Princess Cruises statement.
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