A Filipino seafarer has been found positive of 2019 novel coronavirus, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday confirmed.
According to the report, the Filipino seafarer is working for the Princess Cruises ship line and was quarantined off Yokohama together with his nine colleagues after they were found positive in the 2019-nCoV.
This is the first known case of a Filipino being infected by the said virus.
Aside from the Filipino, there are also 3 Japanese, Hong Kong resident, two Chinese, two Australians and One American showed symptoms of nCoV.
“The length of the quarantine will be at least 14 days as required by the Ministry of Health,” Princess Cruises said.
The Japanese Government also quarantined the 2666 guest and 1,045 crew members on board the ship.
Reports said that they’re not allowed to go outside their cabins and only medical officials are allowed to give them their daily needs during the quarantine period.
Cruise ship Diamond Princess
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo said that there are at least 538 Filipinos on board the said ship and already acting to help them.
“The Embassy is in constant communication with the remaining Filipinos onboard and is closely coordinating with Japanese authorities to provide them all possible assistance,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said.