Japan announced 39 new coronavirus cases on a quarantined cruise ship, bringing the total infected aboard to 174.
The Diamond Princess, owned by Carnival, has been docked in Yokohama, Japan, since Feb. 3, and health officials said everyone on the vessel might end up being tested for the contagious pathogen. The ship arrived in Japan with 3,711 people on board and since then has seen a growing number of infections. Among the 174 infected are 32 U.S. citizens.
Although the quarantine is scheduled to end on Feb. 19, the World Health Organization said it could be extended for some who came in contact with others who have since tested positive for the virus.
Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz sent a letter to crew members of the ship announcing that they will receive free flights home and two months paid leave once the ordeal is over.
Another cruise ship, Holland America Line’s Westerdam, which left Hong Kong almost two weeks ago, has been attempting to find a country that will let it dock and disembark passengers. Despite having no suspected cases of coronavirus, Japan turned it away on Feb. 6, followed by the Philippines, Taiwan, Guam, and Thailand.
Cambodia said Wednesday that it would allow the Westerdam to dock and let passengers off in the city of Sihanoukville.
The mystery virus began in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to more than 45,000 people, killing at least 1,118, although some experts believe China has underreported the spread of the illness. There have been 13 confirmed cases in the United States.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Tuesday that the virus “holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world.”
