Tokyo, Feb 10 (UNI) Sixty additional people on a cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama have tested positive for a new coronavirus, a government official said on Monday.
It means there are now more than 150 confirmed cases in Japan, including about 130 on the Diamond Princess. The ship has been kept in quarantine after a passenger, who disembarked in Hong Kong, was found to be infected with the pneumonia-causing virus, Japan Today reported.
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 at a press conference Monday.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also said Monday it is considering testing all of the approximately 3,600 people aboard the ship when the two-week quarantine ends. Once their results are clear, they can leave the vessel.
The ministry had earlier said it might be possible for people to disembark from Feb 19. But they will have to wait for test results.
"We need to properly address the unease and concerns of our citizens," said health minister Katsunobu Kato.
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