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  World   Asia  22 Apr 2020  34 positive coronavirus cases on cruise ship docked in Japan

34 positive coronavirus cases on cruise ship docked in Japan

AFP
Published : Apr 22, 2020, 12:38 pm IST
Updated : Apr 22, 2020, 12:38 pm IST

Initial four tests carried out revealed first infection on Monday, with additional testing among 57 crew finding a total of 34 cases

 34 crew members on an Italian cruise ship docked for repairs in southwestern Japan have tested positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo)
  34 crew members on an Italian cruise ship docked for repairs in southwestern Japan have tested positive for the coronavirus. (AP Photo)

Tokyo: At least 34 crew members aboard a cruise ship docked in the Japanese city of Nagasaki have tested positive for coronavirus, local authorities said on Wednesday.

The Costa Atlantica first arrived in Nagasaki in January to undergo repairs, with several hundred crew on board.

Over the weekend, the ship's operator contacted local authorities seeking help to test suspected cases on board.

An initial four tests carried out on the ship revealed a first infection on Monday, with additional testing among 57 crew finding a total of 34 cases by Wednesday.

"Many infections have been confirmed on the ship," Nagasaki governor Hodo Nakamura told reporters on Wednesday.

"We hope that they will be able to go home in full health as soon as possible. We are asking the national government for help."

Nakamura said those infected and other crew members remain on the ship, adding that the ship's operator has told local officials that crew members are self-isolating.

Japanese officials have not yet been on board, with testing carried out by medical personnel among the ship's crew using kits supplied by local medical facilities.

Japanese officials said they needed more time to draw up a detailed plan and gather enough trained personnel and more equipment before boarding the ship.

Nagasaki officials said no one on board the ship was believed to be in serious condition so far.

The exact number of people on the ship was not immediately clear, though initial reports said 623 crew of various nationalities had been on board.

Some are believed to have moved around inside Nagasaki city in recent weeks.

Further testing among other crew members was expected to be carried out.

"We have not yet decided exactly how many and how we will administer PCR tests (to detect the infections)," said Katsumi Nakata, chief of the regional government's health and welfare department.

The prospect of a cluster of infections on the ship comes months after Japan dealt with a massive outbreak aboard the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship that docked in the city of Yokohama after a former passenger tested positive for the virus.

Overall, Japan has seen a relatively small outbreak compared to parts of Europe or the United States, with around 11,500 infections and 277 deaths recorded so far.

Tags: nagasaki, coronavirus positive, cruise ship, diamond princess, coronavirus outbreak, covid 19 patient, crew members, suspected cases
Location: Japan, Tokyo-to, Tokyo