Just Another Bizarre Tale from the Diamond Princess
California’s own horror show on a cruise ship off Japan’s coast? That’s the headline of today’s story. Though it’s not the most thrilling movie, the news is paint a very real picture of what some officials are doing (or have done) to fight COVID‑19.
Death Toll Closes In
Yesterday, the Japanese health ministry added a grim line to the epidemic’s ledger: an elderly man, in his 80s, passed away aboard the Diamond Princess. He wasn’t the only one—he followed a couple of seventy‑something fatalities that were announced only days before.
Is Japan Dozing While the Virus Roars?
Tokyo’s two‑year‑old “Olympic host” promise is under scrutiny. The government has been questioned on whether it’s pulling its weight to stem the tide of infections that have claimed thousands in China. Meanwhile, Tokyo is also trying to get ready for the 2020 Summer Olympics in July.
Meetings and Mea Culpa
- Health Minister Katsunobu Kato is slated to gather experts for a crisis‑planning session that will shape tomorrow’s disease‑response playbook.
- “Apology” moment: Kato blames his team for letting a single infected lady from the Diamond Princess disembark in March, only to see her test positive in Tochigi Prefecture a few days later.
- The min‑istry has revealed a mishap: 23 people who left the ship didn’t get tested properly. They’re now attempting to retest them.
The Ship’s Unfavourable Glory
Owned by Carnival Corp, the vessel carried nearly 3,700 passengers and more than a dozen nationalities. It has become the largest cluster of infections outside China, with 634 cases detected on board (per NHK).
Worries in Japan
- Some citizens have already been flown home to undergo extra quarantine measures.
- Authorities fear that allowing other passengers to leave poses a risk of spreading the virus within Japan.
- Japan has added four new cases by yesterday evening, bringing the total (including onboard numbers) to 773.
For readers hoping to stay informed: New updates on COVID‑19 emerge daily—though we can’t link you directly here. Stick to reliable sources and keep a safe distance!
