Coronavirus Live Updates: Another 10 Test Positive on Cruise Ship Quarantined in Japan, Taking Total to 20

Epoch Times ^ | Feb 5, 2020 | (staff)

[BobL]

Japanese media have reported another 10 people testing positive for coronavirus aboard the now-quarantined Carnival Japan Inc.’s Diamond Princess cruise ship, taking the total number of infections from 10 to 20.

Japan’s health ministry confirmed Thursday that the 10 new cases were among 71 test results returned from 273 passengers who were tested for the virus earlier this week. Test results for 202 passengers are still pending.

[BobL]

So 20 positives out of 71 tests returned, so far. The other 202 tests complete the batch considered most at risk. The passengers are stuck on that ship for 13 more days or so. Also keep in mind there are 4000 or so passengers/crew on this ship.

[Beowulf9]

So by quarantining them all they are effectively creating an incubation tank for the virus.

[Liaison]

After the virus runs its course with the pax on the ship we might get a better understanding on the survival and death rates with a controlled population. The health care will be better in Japan for these people so it may skew the findings but it may give us a better understanding of the virus than we have been getting from the Chinese. I’m not trying to be callous with their lives but we need more information while we try to save the infected.

[plain talk]

anyone want to go on a cruise right now?

This will have an impact on travel and cruises in particular.

[blackdog]

I have not seen anything on immunity after recovery yet? Normally after recovery an immune response is identifiable and used to to create a vaccine? That or they engineer a weakened version of the virus and use it to force an immunity response in the body to prevent the strong version from infecting you.

[BobL]

“So by quarantining them all they are effectively creating an incubation tank for the virus.”

From what I’ve read, they’re confined to their cabins, and having food delivered. So if they’re mixing, it’s very little...now.

[null and void]

Bring Out Your Dead

Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.

The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.

So far the false positive rate is 100%.

At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.

*sigh* Such is life, and death...

If a quarantine saves just one child's life, it's worth it.

[BobL]

“This will have an impact on travel and cruises in particular.”

There will be a permanent hit too. Coronavirus is a bit more than the runs, and people are not happy to hear that refunds are not forthcoming.

[redgolum]

This is not good.

Will find more about the disease.

Where did the sick cases come from? How many infected on the ship?

[BobL]

“I have not seen anything on immunity after recovery yet? “

Same here...I haven’t heard anything that way either.

[redgolum]

No refunds?

really?

Are the cruise lines bloody mad?

[Karl Spooner]

That is not promising. By the time they test everyone it’s likely that percentage will increase even more.

[hardspunned]

I hope they are able to replenish the booze supply.

[BobL]

“Where did the sick cases come from? How many infected on the ship?”

They believe it was from a guy who got off in Hong Kong, got back on, then got sick on the boat, but didn’t bother telling anyone or isolating himself.

[ETCM]

Ideally, this group will teach us a lot about this virus, like how contagious it really is and mortality rate under modern medical care.

[BobL]

“No refunds? really? Are the cruise lines bloody mad?”

This one I’m not sure of...I suspect they’ll get refunded for all the crap they’re going through. But this cruise, which starts tomorrow, is telling their passengers ‘tough crap’ if you do go, no refunds!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/02/03/coronavirus-family-says-norwegian-wont-refund-32000-asia-cruise/4643852002/

[BobL]

*do NOT go (correction)

[freeandfreezing]

So by quarantining them all they are effectively creating an incubation tank for the virus.

The article notes that "All 20 patients have been removed from the vessel and sent to hospitals in Kanagawa Prefecture for monitoring and isolation."

Removing the people who test positive, and requiring the remaining passengers to stay in their rooms should help prevent further spread of the disease on the ship. Of course I hope they have increased filtration of any recirculated air, and are otherwise ensuring a low chance of airborne virus transfer.

[Gamecock]

My wife and I were talking about a cruise next January. Probably not going to book it.

We have a trip to Europe scheduled for July.
I am ready to pull the plug on it if this crap doesn’t calm down quick.

[hardspunned]

I have airline tickets to Europe in mid March. I assume by then the US and Europe will be at the crest of our outbreaks. I assuming those tickets will be written off as I’d hate to end being quarantined in Italy or Hungary. You’re right, this will hammer travel world wide.