Experts To Examine Quarantined Cruise Ship
A group of infectious disease experts is to survey a cruise ship hit by a coronavirus outbreak to prevent further spreading of the disease.
As of Monday, more than 130 people on board the Diamond Princess docked at Yokohama Port tested positive for the new coronavirus and have been taken to hospital.
Japan's health ministry says the remaining passengers and crewmembers, accounting for some 3,600 people, should in general remain inside cabin rooms during the 14-day quarantine period from February 5.
Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control made up of infection experts decided to dispatch a team to the cruise ship as early as on Tuesday for an on-the-spot survey.
Members of the team have expertise in infectious disease control at evacuation centers and other places at times of disaster.
They will study the living conditions of those on board and whether they are carrying out basic disinfection measures, such as disinfecting their hands.
Crewmembers of the ship in particular will be scrutinized, as they share cabins and are believed to have frequently been moving around inside the vessel more than passengers.
The Society says it will recommend necessary preventive measures to the operator of the cruise ship, health ministry officials and others based on its findings.
Society President Masaki Yoshida says there is no doubt mass infection is occurring on the ship, and that his group will cooperate to prevent further contagion.
