Several days after the Japan-operated cruise liner Diamond Princess anchored near Yokohama, more passengers have tested positive for the coronavirus.
As of Friday, Japanese officials said 41 new cases of the infection were confirmed on the vessel bringing the total number of infected individuals to 61.
Earlier this week, 20 passengers were taken off the ship after testing positive for the coronavirus.
The passengers were taken ashore by the Japanese Coast Guard and transported to local hospitals for medical care. Meanwhile, the rest of the 3,700 passengers and crew were quarantined aboard the ship.
According to a report from ABC News, the infected passengers were among 273 people tested after showing symptoms of the virus or had close contact with an infected individual who got off the ship in Hong Kong.
The cruise ship returned to Yokohama on Monday evening after making port calls in Vietnam, Taiwan, and Okinawa and it will remain under a two-week quarantine period.
In a statement, Diamond Princess says the health and safety of their guests and crew remain their top priority and they will continue to work closely with the Japanese Ministry of Health on all protocols and procedures.
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