Japan’s health ministry has informed that two passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship have died from the novel coronavirus. The news come as passengers from the ship that have been tested negative are starting to leave the ship after two weeks of quarantine.
The two passengers that died were both in their 80s. Overall, 624 passengers have been tested positive to the virus.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, the disembark process for those individuals who are not taking government repatriation flights started on February 19.
The disembark process will be undertaken over several consecutive days, since they will be tested, and the testing and results require two to three days to complete.
A certificate that indicates a negative COVID-19 test result is expected to be granted by Japanese health authorities to exit the ship.
Working in coordination with the Japanese Ministry of Health, Princess Cruises will be monitoring the progress of guests who have contracted coronavirus and will be offering travel assistance to these individuals upon their recovery (and delivery of a heath certificate by Japanese health authorities).
The cruise line first reported on February 4 about ten passengers that had been positively tested for Coronavirus. Then, on February 6, the company informed of 41 additional passengers infected.
On 15 February, hundreds of Americans have been flown out of Japan after leaving the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship, while another 70 people on board tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of 355.
