A total of 35 Filipinos in a cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama, Japan have tested positive for COVID-19, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the DFA, quoting the Philippine embassy in Tokyo, said the latest figure included eight new cases, all crew members of the vessel Diamond Princess.
“The Filipinos who tested positive for COVID-19 were immediately transferred to Japanese hospitals and are now undergoing treatment. The Embassy constantly communicates with all patients currently confined in Japanese hospitals to ensure their well-being and to provide assistance,” the DFA said.
The cruise ship, which was placed on a 14-day quarantine period by the Japanese government on Feb. 8 following the discovery of infections among passengers, carried 538 Filipinos.
The Japanese government was scheduled to announce the disembarkation procedures for the end of the ship’s quarantine period, the DFA said.
“As such, the Embassy is coordinating with all relevant Philippine and Japanese government agencies and is meeting with senior management representatives of Princess Cruises to ensure an orderly and safe repatriation of Filipinos once they clear the Japanese quarantine requirements,” it said. (PressONE.ph)