DFA confirms Pinoy tested positive for nCoV in Japan

According to DFA, there are 538 Filipinos onboard the cruise ship. (File Photo By Patrick Roque, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday confirmed that a Filipino crewmember onboard a cruise ship docked in Japan has been tested positive for the 2019-novel coronavirus (nCoV).

The Diamond Princess cruise ship, docked at the port of Yokohama, was quarantined by the Japanese Government when one of the passengers tested positive for the virus.

The vessel was supposed to embark on an eight-day trip on Tuesday.

“Since then and after this time, 10 persons onboard the cruise ship, including one Filipino, have tested positive for the virus,” the DFA said in a statement.

Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Deputy Chief of Mission Robespierre Bolivar said the Filipino is now in a hospital in Japan for treatment.

“We are coordinating with the manning agency to provide all necessary assistance,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

The embassy is in constant communication with the remaining Filipinos onboard and is closely coordinating with Japanese authorities to provide them all possible assistance.

As of posting, other passengers remain onboard the ship for the required 14-day quarantine period.

According to DFA, there are 538 Filipinos onboard the cruise ship.