Two more Indians on board cruise ship off Japanese coast test positive for coronavirus

Two more Indians on board a quarantined cruise ship off Japan have tested positive for vel coronavirus even as India assured that it will provide all possible assistance to its nationals on ship to return home after y test negative in final coronavirus tests that would begin on Monday, Indian Embassy said on Sunday.

A total of 138 Indians, including 132 crew and 6 passengers, were among 3,711 people on board ship, Diamond Princess, that arrived at Japanese coast earlier this month. total number of people infected with COVID-19 on ship rose to 355 on Sunday.

"Over last 2 days, 137 new cases on #DiamondPrincess tested positive for #COVIDー19, including two Indian nationals, taken to onshore medical facilities for treatment. Three or Indian crew members, receiving treatment are responding well, with fever or pain," Indian Embassy tweeted.

Earlier, three Indian crew members tested positive for virus and are receiving treatment.

Indian Embassy in a tweet said that final tests for COVIDー19 on ship would begin on February 17 and continue over multiple days.

"Hoping our Indian nationals - braving situation, to test negative, allowing m to travel back HOME. @IndianEmbTokyo stands rey for all possible assistance," mission said.

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On Saturday, it said that condition of three Indians infected with virus was improving.

embassy said it was making efforts for early de-boarding of all Indians from ship after end of quarantine period and was in discussions with Japanese government and ship manment company for disembarkation modalities and welfare of Indians.

ship was quarantined after a passenger who de-boarded last month in Hong Kong was found to be carrier of COVID-19 on ship.

embassy has also sent an email to all Indian nationals on board ship, assuring m of all help and assistance.

y are also requested to follow Japanese government's health and quarantine protocols, embassy said on its Facebook p.

Japanese government on Thursday anunced that passengers d 80 or older will be given option to disembark ship if y test negative for COVID-19. Those who meet requirement and have pre-existing conditions or are staying in rooms without balcony will be prioritised for disembarkation.

Indian national falls under this category, eligible for early disembarkation, statement said on Friday.

death toll from China's coronavirus epidemic climbed to 1,665 after 142 more people died, mostly in worst-hit Hubei Province, and confirmed cases jumped to 68,500, officials said on Sunday.

coronavirus outbreak originated in central China's Hubei province in December last year and has spre to several countries, including India. Many countries have banned arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights to country.

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