Japan completes virus testing for quarantined ship
19 February, 2020
All passengers and crew onboard a ship quarantined off Japan have been tested for the brand new coronavirus, the government said Tuesday (Feb 18), as more countries moved to evacuate citizens from the boat.
South Korea became the most recent to announce it could remove its citizens from the Diamond Princess, where more than 400 persons have tested positive for COVID-19.
Japan has faced criticism because of its handling of the problem, with a large number of new infections detected daily since the ship found its way to early February.
Nonetheless it has defended its approach and health minister Katsunobu Kato insisted again Tuesday that passengers who test negative will be allowed to leave the ship from Wednesday.
"We've done tests for everybody (on the ship)," he told reporters.
"Some results have already come out ... and for all those whose test results already are clear, we are working to prepare disembarkation from the 19th," he said.
Kato said the process would last several days.
But those who had close connection with people who've tested positive could have their quarantine reset to the date of their last contact with an infected person.
Crew are also likely to remain to see another quarantine period following the last passengers leave the ship.
So far, america, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and today South Korea have said they will evacuate their citizens from the ship.
TOKYO MARATHON
South Korea will send a presidential aircraft on Tuesday to fly back four nationals and one Japanese spouse, the official told reporters.
There are 14 South Koreans on board in total, however the other ten have declined to be evacuated from the ship because they are in Japan, the Yonhap news agency reported.
Early Monday, a lot more than 300 Americans were evacuated from the ship, included in this over a dozen who've tested positive for the virus.
The Americans, like citizens from other countries being evacuated from ship, will need to undergo another 14-day quarantine.
Canada said Tuesday it had "secured a chartered flight to repatriate Canadians up to speed the Diamond Princess" but gave no information on when the process would take place.
There were 256 Canadians up to speed the ship, with 32 so far testing positive for the virus.
While foreign governments have couched their decision to remove citizens as an effort to reduce the burden on Japanese authorities, many have interpreted the evacuations as criticism of Tokyo's handling of the problem.
THE UNITED STATES and Australia have told citizens that if indeed they decline repatriation and an additional 14-day quarantine, they'll not be allowed home for at least fourteen days, suggesting they don't believe the ship-based quarantine has worked.
At least 454 people on the ship have up to now tested positive for the virus and been removed to local hospitals for treatment.
Japan in addition has confirmed at least 65 cases domestically, including many involving persons with no history of recent travel to China.
Authorities have said the virus has been transmitted locally now, and have asked citizens in order to avoid crowds and non-essential gatherings.
On Monday, the amateur part of the Tokyo Marathon, which have been likely to attract some 38,000 runners, was cancelled. Only elite athletes will now be able to take part.
The public celebration for Emperor Naruhito's birthday in addition has been scrapped over virus fears.
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