8 more Filipinos in quarantined cruise ship test positive for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Eight more Filipinos aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess docked off Japan have tested positive for COVID-19, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

This brings the total number of infected Filipinos to 35 since the ship was quarantined on February 4.

“The DFA, through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, reports that as of 18 February 2020, the number of Filipinos onboard who have tested positive for COVID-19 is at 35,” the DFA statement read.

“This includes eight new cases, who are all crew members, confirmed today,” it added.

The DFA said the Filipinos who tested positive for the virus were immediately transferred to Japanese hospitals and are now undergoing treatment.

“The Embassy constantly communicates with all patients currently confined in Japanese hospitals to ensure their well-being and to provide assistance,” it added.

End of 14-day quarantine

According to the DFA, the Japanese government is set to announce on Tuesday the disembarkation procedures for the end of the ship’s quarantine period.

“As such, the Embassy is coordinating with all relevant Philippine and Japanese government agencies and is meeting with senior management representatives of Princess Cruises to ensure an orderly and safe repatriation of Filipinos once they clear the Japanese quarantine requirements,” the department said.

Edited by EDV