Ten confirmed with coronavirus on quarantined Princess ship
More than 3,700 people are facing an enforced two-week quarantine holed up on a cruise ship after 10 people tested positive for coronavirus.
More cases are possible, health officials said.
The ship is anchored off the coast of Japan.
The infected patients have been transferred to hospitals but all other occupants must remain in quarantine aboard the Diamond Princess.
The nightmare scenario has turned an eight-day round trip cruise for passengers into a two-week lockdown, confined to their cabins.
Personal stories of the situation have been posted on social media.
One twitter user spoke of ‘hearing from many sides that people are troubled and uneasy.’
The coronavirus scare began after discovering an 80-year-old man sailed on the ship last month and later tested positive for coronavirus.
Japan Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said the 10 confirmed cases are from only 31 test results they have received back as of Wednesday morning so more cases are possible.
The confirmed cases include a US national, three each from Hong Kong and Japan, two Australians and a Filipino crew member with severe symptoms.
All guests have access to free Wi-Fi to stay in touch with loved ones, the line said.
All guests will receive a full refund and a future cruise credit.
About 6,000 passengers on the Costa Smeralda were initially quarantined last week after two guests were suspected of having the Wuhan coronavirus, although tests later showed they were suffering from a flu virus.
Several cruise lines – including Princess – have announced measures aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, including banning guests from ships if they have travelled from or through mainland China in the 14 days prior to the departure date of the cruise.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt