Yokohama: Japanese health officials on Monday said about 60 more new virus cases had been found aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, in addition to 70 cases found earlier among 3,711 passengers and crew.
Health ministry officials were double-checking the results and could not immediately release the exact figure, but operator Princess Cruises confirmed through a statement the exact number was 66 new cases.
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Japan's Health Minister Katsunobu Kato had told reporters earlier on Monday that the government was considering lab testing all passengers and crew members before allowing them to get off the ship.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a news conference later in the day this would be "tough", but ensured the health of passengers and crew was a priority.
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The nationalities of these newest cases are four from Australia, one from Canada, one from England, 45 from Japan, three from the Philippines, one from Ukraine and 11 from the United States.
The Diamond Princess has been quarantined in the port of Yokohama, near Tokyo, after carrying an infected passenger who got off in Hong Kong.
With inputs from AP
