WASHINGTON, Feb 17 (KUNA) -- The US Department of State and Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Monday that 14 passengers who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Over 300 US citizens had been evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and "all were deemed asymptomatic and fit to fly before being processed for evacuation," according to a joint statement by both departments.
These 14 individuals "were moved in the most expeditious and safe manner to a specialized containment area on the evacuation aircraft to isolate them in accordance with standard protocols," the statement said.
As for the other passengers, the statement noted they will remain under quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to the US later today.
"Passengers that develop symptoms in flight and those with positive test results will remain isolated on the flights and will be transported to an appropriate location for continued isolation and care," it added.
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci told CBS network on Sunday that "technically speaking, the (World Health Organization) wouldn't be calling this a global pandemic." He stressed "but it certainly is on the verge of that happening reasonably soon unless containment is more successful than it is right now." (end) si.gb