Additional 39 people on board Japan cruise ship tested positive for Coronavirus

An additional 39 people on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the Japan coast have tested positive for the Covid-2019 bringing the total to 174. Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato told reporters today that out of 53 new test results, 39 people were found positive, adding that a quarantine official had also been infected with the virus.

The Diamond Princess has been in quarantine since arriving off the Japanese coast early



last week after the virus was detected in a former passenger who got off the ship last month in Hong Kong. Authorities initially tested nearly 300 people of the 3,711 aboard for the virus.

In recent days, testing has expanded to those with new symptoms or who had close contact with other infected passengers or crew. The ship is expected to stay in quarantine until February 19.