39 more on board Japan cruise ship have new coronavirus: Minister

An ditional 39 people on board Diamond Princess cruise ship off Japan coast have tested positive for new coronavirus, Japanese Health Minister Katsubu Kato said on Wednesday, bringing total to 174.

"Out of 53 new test results, 39 people were found positive," he told reporters, ding that a quarantine official h also been infected with virus.

"At this point, we have confirmed that four people, among those who are hospitalised, are in a serious condition, eir on a ventilator or in an intensive care unit," he ded.

Diamond Princess has been in quarantine since arriving off Japanese coast early last week after virus was detected in a former passenger who got off ship last month in Hong Kong.

When boat arrived off Japan, authorities initially tested nearly 300 people of 3,711 aboard for virus, grually evacuating dozens who were infected to local medical facilities.

In recent days, testing has expanded to those with new symptoms or who h close contact with or infected passengers or crew.

Those who remain on ship have been asked to stay inside ir cabins and allowed only briefly onto open decks.

y have been asked to wear masks and keep a distance from each or when outside, and given rmometers to regularly monitor ir temperatures.

ship is expected to stay in quarantine until February 19 -- 14 days after isolation period began.