Japan facing criticism for handling of virus outbreak

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Tokyo, Feb 19 (AFP/APP): Japan faces mounting criticism for its handling of a coronavirus-afflicted cruise ship, with questions over a patchy quarantine, incremental testing and the decision to let people walk away after 14 days.

The 3,711 people on the Diamond Princess went into quarantine off Japan on February 5, after it emerged that a former passenger had tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Passengers were confined to cabins except for brief outings on deck, when they were required to wear masks and gloves and keep their distance from each other.

But doubts soon emerged about whether the measures were working. Dozens of people on board were quickly diagnosed with the virus, and by Tuesday, 542 cases were reported.

While passengers were confined to their cabins, those with balconies could sometimes be seen talking to neighbours without masks.

And crew were not quarantined, sharing working spaces, living quarters and bathrooms, and simply donning masks and gloves when interacting with passengers.

At least two government officials themselves contracted the virus while working on the ship.

Kentaro Iwata, a professor at the infectious diseases division of Kobe University, told AFP the on-ship quarantine was a “major failure, a mistake”.

“It is highly likely secondary infections occurred,” he said.

In videos that racked up hundreds of thousands of views, Iwata later said he had been on board the ship Tuesday and observed “completely chaotic” conditions.

“The cruise ship was completely inadequate in terms of infection control,” he charged, saying he now was placing himself into a 14-day self quarantine for fear of infecting his family.

Passengers leave Japan virus ship

 

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