Princess cruises company confirmed that ten passengers onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship have been tested positive for Coronavirus, which led to company cancelling the vessel’s next voyage as they though it was important to thoroughly review the health status of guests.
Specifically, the company informs that on the previous voyage, a passenger 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 travelling with him remain symptom-free.
The company highlights that
The safety, security and well-being of all guests and crew is our absolute priority.
Following, after the one-man incident, the company issued a new update informing that ten passengers onboard the cruise vessel have been positively tested with the virus.
The company reported that the health screening of all guests and crew onboard Diamond Princess, by the Japanese Ministry of Health, was completed and resulted to the ten passengers infected.
This includes two Australian guests, three Japanese guests, three guests from Hong Kong, and one guest from the U.S. in addition to one Filipino crewmember.
Consequently, the ten infected passengers will be transmitted 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.
Concluding, the ship will conduct its 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.
We will also be cancelling the next two Diamond Princess cruises departing Yokohama (Feb 4 and Feb 12) and will begin notifying guests today
… Princess Cruises added.