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| Credit Wikipedia |
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One of the scenarios used in a pandemic tabletop exercise I took part in more than a decade ago involved a cruise ship coming into port with at least 1 suspected novel flu case aboard. While the room was sharply divided over how that could be handled under United States law, we're seeing a similar situation playing out today in Japan.
The Diamond Princess, with roughly 3,700 people aboard, has been quarantined in Yokohama, Japan after an 80 year old passenger disembarked late last month in Hong Kong and subsequently tested positive for the novel coronavirus.Japan's MOH has begun the massive task of testing passengers and crew, starting with those who are symptomatic. So far, 10 of 31 people tested have tested positive, and have been transported to a hospital onshore.
New coronavirus infection confirmed on a cruise ship calling at Yokohama Port
The cruise ship “Diamond Princess” arriving at Yokohama Port on February 3 is undergoing quarantine at sea, but 10 out of 31 people have been tested for the new coronavirus so far. Was transported to a medical institution in Kanagawa Prefecture because a positive new coronavirus test was confirmed.
Quarantine of the cruise ship continues to be implemented. Currently, a new type of coronavirus test is being conducted, mainly for the affected, and the results will be announced later.
According to an NHK report, 9 passengers and 1 crewmember have tested positive. Samples have been taken from 273 people (120 symptomatic & 153 close contacts), but only 31 test results have been returned thus far.
Passengers and crew will reportedly be quarantined for at least the next 14 days, potentially longer. Additional test results will be announced by Japan's MOH as they become available.While a terrible ordeal and massive inconvenience for both passengers and crew - and a huge logistical challenge for Japan's public health system - tracking the spread of 2019-nCoV through this self-contained community may provide important information on its transmissibility and likely impact across a large and diverse population.
