BFF-01 Australian coronavirus victims had tested negative in Japan: official

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CHINA-HEALTH-VIRUS-AUSTRALIA-TEST

Australian coronavirus victims had tested negative in Japan: official

SYDNEY, Feb 21, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Two Australians who have been diagnosed
with coronavirus after being evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship
had earlier tested negative in Japan, health officials in Canberra told AFP
on Friday.

Department of health officials said that all 164 Australians who were
returned home earlier this week “were tested for COVID-19 in Japan and
returned negative results”.

Officials stressed that the development of some positive cases among
cleared evacuees was “not unexpected”, given the continued spread of the
disease onboard after testing began.

BSS/AFP/GMR/0843 hrs