Coronavirus: Over 200 Indians onboard cruise ship quarantined near Yokohama port in Japan
At least 200 Indians, are among the 3,700 plus people who are onboard the cruise ship presently quarantined near Yokohama port in Japan, with 64 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
While no Indian has thus far been tested positive for the virus, panic is on the increase. Earlier, a man from West Bengal on board the cruise posted SOS message on social media, enjoining PM Modi and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to ask the Japanese government to to keep those infected separately from the uninfected.
The man also requested the authorities to come to the aid of Indian citizens just as the rescued those stuck in China’s Wuhan city.
According to the Indian Express, in one of his posts the West Bengal man stated that there are close to 200 Indians onboard. He stated that while none of them have tested positive thus far, they are living in a state of fear.
He stated that talking straight on social media amounts to breaking the protocol but he was doing so because he was afraid. “If I do not speak out, tomorrow I don’t know if I will be alive or dead,” he said in Hindi.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday stated that the development of the cruise are being looked closely. “Many Indian crew & some Indian passengers are onboard the cruise ship #DiamondPrincess quarantined off Japan due to #Coronavirus. None have tested positive, as per the latest information provided by our Embassy,” he said.
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Many Indian crew & some Indian passengers are onboard the cruise ship #DiamondPrincess quarantined off Japan due to #Coronavirus. None have tested positive, as per the latest information provided by our Embassy @IndianEmbTokyo. We are closely following the developments.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 7, 2020
Japanese authorities have so far tested 280 people on board. The results from six more people were released on Saturday, with three of them confirmed infected, the health ministry stated.
The three people have already been sent to hospital, the ministry said.
There were about 3,700 passengers and crew on the cruise ship when it arrived off Japan's coast on Monday. It docked in Yokohama on Thursday to resupply for a quarantine that could go on till February 19.
One of those found infected is in serious condition. Many on board are elderly and at greater risk of developing complications from the deadly virus.
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First published: 8 February 2020, 14:23 IST