Dozens of passengers allowed off virus-hit Diamond Princess ship have symptoms: Japan minister
26 February, 2020
Dozens of passengers who were allowed off a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship have developed symptoms including fever and will be asked to take tests for the virus, Japan's health minister said Wednesday (Feb 26).
The government has contacted 813 former passengers of the Diamond Princess. About 970 were allowed off the boat last week after testing negative for the virus, but several have subsequently been found to be carrying the disease.
Dozens of passengers who were allowed off a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship have developed symptoms including fever and will be asked to take tests for the virus, Japan's health minister said Wednesday (Feb 26).
The government has contacted 813 former passengers of the Diamond Princess. About 970 were allowed off the boat last week after testing negative for the virus, but several have subsequently been found to be carrying the disease.
Japan has come under increasing pressure over its handling of the crisis on the vessel, particularly after it emerged that some passengers allowed to disembark after testing negative were subsequently diagnosed with the virus.
Those allowed off the ship after a 14-day quarantine were asked to stay inside, but no formal measures restricting their movement were imposed.
As of Wednesday, at least two former passengers in Japan were confirmed infected despite previously testing positive.
Foreign passengers who said they had initially tested negative have also been diagnosed with the coronavirus after being repatriated to Australia and Hong Kong.
Opposition lawmakers have blamed the government for failing to implement a fresh 14-day quarantine after the passengers left the cruise ship.
Countries that repatriated their citizens have required them to undergo another isolation period, suggesting they believe the on-ship quarantine was flawed.
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