Post Update, Feb. 12, 2020: the Diamond Princess now has at least 175 confirmed cases of Coronavirus according to ARStechnica.com. The virus now has a new, official name: 2019-nCoV or COVID-19. The ship remains quarantined in Japan.
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The New York Times and other media sources report that the Diamond Princess cruise ship now has 135 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus – 4% of the total number people aboard the vessel.
Among those are 20 Americans.
Per The New York Times article, “The ship already has the largest number of coronavirus cases outside the epicenter in China, where more than 40,000 have been infected.
While the quarantine slapped on the Diamond Princess was meant to contain the virus, the conditions facing the crew could end up doing the opposite and help spread the illness, disease experts say.
At least 10 crew members have been infected, with five cases announced on Sunday and five more on Monday.”
Both passengers and crew are concerned about the possible spread of the virus. Princess Cruises, which operates the Diamond Princess, has come under scrutiny by the public.
Other media outlets have reported:
Katu.com: Oregon woman talks about coronavirus on cruise ship, her husband still quarantined
WBAP.com: Two North Texans Quarantined on Cruise Ship in Japan
Forbes: Crew Members Plea For Rescue As Coronavirus Outbreak On Cruise Ship Grows To 135 Cases