The jump in coronavirus cases on the Diamond Princess off Japan comes a day before those free of the disease hoped to disembark and more than 200 Australians on board are set to be evacuated
An additional 88 people have tested positive for the coronavirus on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship being quarantined at a port in the Japanese city of Yokohama.
Britain became the latest country to offer its citizens a way off the boat, saying it was"working to organise a flight back to the UK" as doubts grow over the effectiveness of the quarantine measures with every spike in positive cases.Canada, Hong Kong and South Korea have already said they will evacuate their citizens from the ship, following the lead from the United States, which flew home around 300 Americans on Monday - including more than a dozen who had tested positive.
The Diamond Princess anchored in Japan. The virus-hit cruise ship accounted for 355 people who have been infected with the disease.Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato has defended the governments response to the crisis, amid ongoing criticism and has insisted all on-board the vessel are being monitored,"We have done tests for everyone ."
In a letter sent to passengers, authorities explained that some of the test results would take time to process and therefore disembarkation of cleared individuals will take place from 19 to 21 February.
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