Yokohama (Japan): Japan reported Thursday the first death of a person infected with novel coronavirus, as the number of cases on a quarantined cruise ship offshore soared over 200.
The woman in her 80s was tested for the virus after being hospitalised, and was confirmed positive after her death, Health Minister Katsunobu Kato told a news briefing. However, it was not clear if the virus or other complications had caused her death. “The relationship between the new coronavirus and the death of the person is still unclear,” Kato said.
In addition to the cases on the ship and a quarantine officer, Japan has confirmed 28 other infections – mostly among evacuees from the Chinese province of Hubei, where the virus emerged.
The ‘Diamond Princess’ cruise ship off Yokohama has become the single largest cluster of cases outside China, with 218 testing positive for the COVID-19 virus and taken to medical facilities.
Japan announced earlier in the day that elderly passengers would be allowed off the ship if they test negative. They will be given the option of moving to government facilities to wait out a quarantine that is set to last until February 19.
In a statement, operator Princess Cruises said it had been told the government-appointed lodgings would offer individual rooms and bathrooms, with access to medication, but no on-site medical care.
“The food available will not accommodate dietary preferences but will accommodate certain medical conditions. The meals provided will be Japanese bento-style boxes. No Western meals will be available,” the Japanese government said.
Thousands of passengers and crew on board were facing nearly a week more of isolation, with many expressing frustration and fear. While passengers are struggling with cabin fever, crew members are working around the clock and worried that they are exposed to the greatest risk of infection.
“The situation on board is getting worse day by day,” 24-year-old ship security officer Sonali Thakkar told this agency. “This morning they told us that 44 people have been infected and everyone is really scared and wanting to get off as soon as possible. All we want is tests to be done and to be separated from those who are positive. We don’t want to stay on board,” added Thakkar.
With passengers mostly confined to their cabins, crew members have to go door-to-door to deliver food and other supplies, and some fear this has reduced the effectiveness of the quarantine.
“I haven’t got the virus yet, but I don’t want it to be so late that I catch the virus. I don’t want to wait to find out that I’m the one that has it,” Thakkar said.
Thakkar said that while passengers were confined to quarters, the crew were eating together, working together and sleeping two to a cabin with shared washing facilities.
AFP