Two South Africans test positive for coronavirus

Two South African nationals working aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship have contracted coronavirus, the country’s health ministry has said. 

The cruise liner is currently quarantined off Japan’s Yokohama port. Japanese officials say the two patients were not outwardly displaying symptoms of the disease but are being treated in Japan. 

The vessel has over 3,7000 passengers on board. It has been quarantined for at least four weeks after a passenger, who disembarked in Hong Kong, tested positive for the virus at the end of January. 

Five people aboard have died from the virus so far, including an elderly Japanese woman whose death was announced on Friday morning. 

Ten other South African crew members are still aboard the cruise ship but will not be allowed to disembark until they pass a two-week quarantine period and test negative for the virus. 

The South African health ministry said that passengers were being prioritised for disembarking ahead of the crew. 

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