Coronavirus: 10 passengers onboard cruise ship infected in Japan, 3000 under quarantine

In a fresh case of infection spreing beyond China's borders, around 10 passengers onboard a cruise ship that arrived in Japan's Yokohama from Hong Kong has been infected with dely Coronavirus, Japanese media reported. Japan's Health Ministry said re were about 3,700 passengers and crew on board ship.

A passenger on Diamond Princess, operated by Carnival Corp’s Princess Cruises, tested positive for virus after leaving ship in Hong Kong on January 25.

"Around 10 new coronavirus-infected passengers on a cruise ship anchored off port of Yokohama," a leing Japanese TV news channel said on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

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Infected under quarantine

Speaking to reporters, Japan's Health Minister Katsubu Kato said that those 10 infected with Coronavirus, would be sent to hospital.  minister vised all or passengers to remain on ship for 14 more days as part of quarantine protocol.

quarantine began after an 80-year-old man boarded ship, run by Carnival Japan, in Yokohama on January 20 and disembarked in Hong Kong on January 25. 

As part of screening process, passengers said masked health workers cl in blue plastic gowns have been walking down empty corridors as well as views of deserted lounges and a barren deck. Guests awaiting screening were asked to stay in ir rooms, where y answered a questionnaire and h ir temperatures taken.

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Japan raises travel warning

After World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Coronavirus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), Japan has vised its citizens to avoid all n-essential travel to China.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe informed that Japan has raised travel warning for China to a level two, on its four-point warning system, urging people to ‘avoid travel that is t urgent or is t necessary’. Japan has 20 confirmed cases, of se 17 people have been in Wuhan.

Last week, Japan began refusing entry to foreigners who have been in Hubei province, where Wuhan is located, in past 14 days as well as people with passports issued in Hubei. Abe told a parliamentary panel government would be flexible about expanding areas in China from which visitors would be banned, depending on trends in China.

(With inputs from ncies)

(Im courtesy: AP)

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