Japan mulls testing 3,600 aboard cruise for virus

Japan's health minister told reporters Monday that government is considering conducting virus tests on all passengers and crew members, totaling more than 3,600, before allowing m to get off a cruise ship.

Katsubu Kato said in Yokohama that health officials have so far found 70 confirmed cases of new coronavirus, including six anunced Sunday night, from Diamond Princess being quarantined in port of Yokohama, near Tokyo.

Given limited testing capacity, Kato said officials are seeking help by private labs and medical universities with equate facilities while y are trying to figure out if such massive tests are feasible.

If blanket tests are conducted at end of 14-day quarantine period, everyone has to stay on board until results are available. Kato said five of six new confirmed cases are crew members assigned to restaurants, bars or housekeeping.

Japanese health authorities are scrambling to deliver medicine requested by over 600 passengers who are running out of ir prescriptions, but progress is slow because of explanation and translation work for foreign passengers, Kato said.