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HEALTH-VIRUS-CHINA-JAPAN-SHIP
Dozens allowed off Japan virus-hit ship have ‘symptoms’: minister
TOKYO, Feb 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Dozens of passengers who were allowed off a
coronavirus-stricken cruise ship have developed symptoms including fever and
will be asked to take tests for the virus, Japan’s health minister said
Wednesday.
The government has contacted 813 former passengers of the Diamond Princess.
Around 970 were allowed off the boat last week after testing negative for the
virus, but several have subsequently been found to be carrying the disease.
The ministry found “45 people had certain symptoms,” health minister
Katsunobu Kato told parliament.
“We asked all of them (who have symptoms) to see a doctor and to take
tests,” Kato said.
Japan has come under increasing pressure over its handling of the crisis on
the vessel, particularly after it emerged that some passengers allowed to
disembark after testing negative were subsequently diagnosed with the virus.
Those allowed off the ship after a 14-day quarantine were asked to stay
inside, but no formal measures restricting their movement were imposed.
As of Wednesday, at least two former passengers in Japan were confirmed
infected despite previously testing positive.
Foreign passengers who said they had initially tested negative have also
been diagnosed with the virus after being repatriated to Australia and Hong
Kong.
Opposition lawmakers have blamed the government for failing to implement a
fresh 14-day quarantine after the passengers left the cruise ship.
Countries that repatriated their citizens have required them to undergo
another isolation period, suggesting they believe the on-ship quarantine was
flawed.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1116 hrs