US: 14 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed on Charter Flight Returning Japanese Cruise Passengers

Isolated in a Special Quarantine Zone on Board

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] On the 17th, the United States announced that 14 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were included among its citizens aboard the charter flight sent to repatriate U.S. nationals from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

According to AFP, the U.S. Department of State and Department of Health issued a joint statement saying that while about 300 people were disembarking from the Diamond Princess and preparing to board the charter flight back to the U.S., 14 tested positive.

The tests were conducted a few days earlier, and the positive results were confirmed only after disembarking from the Diamond Princess.

The U.S. government stated, "They have been transferred to a special quarantine zone inside the charter flight in the most efficient and safe manner and isolated," adding, "During the flight, they will be separated from other passengers."

Furthermore, the U.S. government added, "All passengers will be closely monitored during the flight, and anyone showing COVID-19 symptoms will be immediately moved to the isolation area."

Earlier, about 300 American passengers aboard the Diamond Princess, docked at Yokohama Port in Japan, disembarked the day before to board the repatriation charter flight. They were transported by bus to Haneda Airport and boarded the charter flight in the early morning.

The Diamond Princess, which docked in Japan on the 3rd of this month and was quarantined, has reported a total of 355 COVID-19 infections among approximately 3,700 passengers and crew.

The U.S. government decided to repatriate about 300 passengers on the charter flight, excluding those showing COVID-19 symptoms, from among the approximately 380 American passengers aboard the cruise ship, leading to the disembarkation of about 300 people.