TOKYO, Feb 17 (KUNA) -- Some 99 more people on board a quarantined cruise ship docked off the Japanese coast near Tokyo have tested positive for a new coronavirus, Japan's health ministry said Monday.
Of the newly infected people, 85 were passengers and 14 were crewmembers, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said. That brings the total number of infections on the Diamond Princess docked off Yokohama Port, near Tokyo, to 454.
The vessel, which had carried some 3,700 passengers and crew, has been placed in quarantine since a disembarked 80-year-old man from Hong Kong was found to be infected with the virus. The 14-day quarantine is set to finish on Wednesday.
The outbreak of the new disease, known as COVID-19, originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, has killed 1,770 people and infected more than 70,500 in mainland China, Chinese health authorities said Monday. In addition, 28 countries and territories have also confirmed cases of the virus. (end) mk.mt