Number of COVID-19-infected Pinoys from Japan cruise ship climbs to 80 — Duque

The number of Filipinos who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after being aboard M/V Diamond Princess in Japan rose to 80 on Tuesday, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

"So far, 80 ang naging positibo sa COVID-19 sa grupo ng mga nasakay sa M/V Diamond [Princess] cruise. Karamihan diyan nasa mga ospital at pinangangasiwaan, isolated sila," Duque said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Ten of the infected were already discharged from the hospital "with a clean bill of health," according to a separate update given by Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido "Dodo" Dulay.

Meanwhile, over 400 others who tested negative to the virus are expected to arrive in the Philippines on Tuesday aboard two chartered planes. They will have to undergo another 14-day quarantine period at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Duque, not mentioning a specific time of day, said the two flights will arrive in the country two and a half hours apart.

According to information from the DFA, the first chartered plane is expected to arrive at Clark Air Base in Pampanga at 8:30 p.m. while the second flight will touch down at 10:40 p.m.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Brigido "Dodo" Dulay said the first plane already reached Haneda Airport as of 3:14 p.m. after leaving the Philippines before lunch time.

"Boarding to follow soon with the assistance of Japan’s Flag of Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces," he said in a Twitter post.

Filipinos who disembarked from the cruise ship at Yokohama Port were being transported to the airport via bus ride.

LOOK: The Filipino crew have disembarked from MV Diamond Princess cruise ship. ????: DFA | via @jpsoriano pic.twitter.com/tEKMGyeCtM

— GMA News (@gmanews) February 25, 2020

Prior to the repatriation, the affected Filipinos were also subjected to a two-week quarantine measure inside the cruise ship that was docked in Japan.

The repatriates will have their own respective rooms at the local quarantine facility and will be under close monitoring, according to Duque.

A total of 538 Filipinos—seven passengers and 531 crew members—were aboard the M/V Diamond Princess when one of its passengers tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.

Some of the Filipino seafarers who are "essential" for ship operations may have to stay behind, according to the DFA. — RSJ/KG, GMA News