NEWS
Coronavirus Infects 174 Passengers on Quarantined Cruise Ship
Source: Getty Images
The Diamond Princess cruise ship, which has been quarantined in Japan with 3,700 passengers and crew on board is now the largest single cluster of coronavirus outside of its China origin, with 174 passengers testing positive for the virus now known as COVID-19.
Although we're facing many limitations and challenges, we're doing our best to deliver the most critical needs of #DiamondPrincess. We're also working to provide as much care and comfort as we can to all onboard. We hope these gestures will lift the spirits of those onboard. pic.twitter.com/Dlzq3nH7Qc
— Princess Cruises (@PrincessCruises) February 8, 2020
The passengers and crew are in the middle of a 14-day quarantine period, unable to leave their cabins except for brief periods on deck while wearing face-masks, according to the AFP.
The Diamond Princess has been in quarantine since arriving off the Japanese coast early last week after the virus was detected in a former passenger who got off the ship in Hong Kong, the AFP reports. The ship is expected to remain in quarantine until February 19.
Quarantine leads to new experiences, like Japanese yogurt with aloe vera. Not bad at all, despite tasting a little like yogurt mixed with suntan lotion. #DiamondPrincess pic.twitter.com/xc7KnLBzyv
— Matthew Smith (@mjswhitebread) February 7, 2020
According to the AFP, passengers are crediting the captain with keeping stress levels manageable on board the Diamond Princess.
“One reason why a panic has not occurred among passengers is the captain’s leadership. Regular announcements of information, answering passengers’ requests by consulting quarantine officers, walking on the deck, apologizing for delayed medicine distribution,” the passenger tweeted. “I want this kind of man to be our country’s leader.”
