Cruise quarantined after passenger diagnosed with coronavirus

A cruise is being delayed for at least 24 hours as Japanese health authorities review the status of the more than 3,000 guests and crew on board after a passenger tested positive for coronavirus, Princess Cruises announced Tuesday.

A guest from Hong Kong disembarked from the Diamond Princess to visit a local hospital when it docked in Hong Kong partway through the ship’s 14-day itinerary. He later tested positive for coronavirus on Feb. 1, according to the cruise line’s announcement. 

The guest did not visit the ship’s medical center to report any symptoms or illness. The hospital reports that he is in stable condition and family members traveling with him remain symptom-free, according to the announcement. 

The ship has 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew members on board. 

The Diamond Princess arrived in Yokohama early from its scheduled 14-day round trip. 

Princess Cruises said it will provide further updates when it has information. 

Coronavirus is rapidly spreading across China, where it originated, as well as infecting people outside of the country. 

On Tuesday, the number of reported cases in China rose to 20,438 and deaths rose to 425. 

U.S. officials reported 11 confirmed cases in the U.S. as of Sunday.