Two elderly Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers who were hospitalized with viral infection have died, Japan's health ministry says.
TOKYO — Two elderly passengers taken off the Diamond Princess cruise ship because they were infected with a new virus have died, Japan’s health ministry said Thursday, becoming the first fatalities from the virus-stricken vessel.Japan’s NHK public television said both were Japanese in their 80s. A health ministry official only confirmed that they had been previously been hospitalized in serious condition and had existing chronic diseases. The official spoke anonymously, citing office protocol.
The Diamond Princess, docked in Yokohama port, near Tokyo, started letting passengers who tested negative for the virus leave the ship Wednesday. Test results are still pending for some people on board. Health Minister Katsunobu Kato initially said those with negative virus tests had fulfilled the Japanese quarantine requirement and were free to walk out and go home on public transportation. Later Wednesday, he urged the former passengers to refrain from non-essential outings and try to stay home for about two weeks.
About 500 passengers had left the ship by Wednesday evening, and Japanese officials were to spend the next three days disembarking about 2,000 others. The Diamond Princess was quarantined after one passenger who left the ship earlier in Hong Kong was found to have the virus.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tokyo Marathon limited to elite runners because of virusTokyo Marathon organizers are drastically reducing the number of participants for this year's race out of fear of the spread of the virus from China
Read more »
Odessa Young & Ella Rumpf Join ‘Tokyo Vice’ At HBO MaxOdessa Young (Assassination Nation) and Ella Rumpf (Raw) are the latest to join HBO Max’s forthcoming series Tokyo Vice as series regulars. They join previously announced cast members Ansel E…
Read more »
Here's Why Katie Ledecky Is Likely to Add to Her Impressive Olympic Medal Count in TokyoTo date, swimmer Katie Ledecky has won an impressive six Olympic medals, five of which are gold — a tally she hopes to grow at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Read more »
The US Women's Soccer Team Could Make History With Another Olympic Gold in TokyoTo date, the US women's soccer team has made the podium at five of the six Olympic tournaments, bringing home a total of four gold medals and one silver.
Read more »
Tokyo Marathon Limited to Only Elite Runners Due to Coronavirus OutbreakThe race is only being held for the marathon elites and the wheelchair elites
Read more »