Thirty-nine more people have tested positive for coronavirus on Diamond Princess, bringing the total number of cases up to 175 as of today (12 February).

Among the thirty-nine new people infected, at least 24 are said to be American.

A Princess Cruises spokesperson said: “Princess Cruises can confirm an announcement, from the Japanese Ministry of Health, of 39 new positive cases of Coronavirus on board Diamond Princess.

“We are following guidance from the Japan Ministry of Health on plans for disembarkation protocols to provide medical care for these new cases.

“The Japan Ministry of Health has been the lead public health authority defining the testing protocols for all guests and crew on Diamond Princess.

“Additional information will be shared as soon as it is made available to use by the Ministry of Health.”

There are roughly 3,600 people being held in quarantine on board the ship off the coast of Japan.

The ship has been held under quarantine since 5 February after a man who had travelled on board the ship had been tested positive with the virus. The quarantine will be lifted on 19 February, unless there are “any unforeseen developments”, a spokesman from the cruise line has said.

Elsewhere, Princess Cruises’ ship, Caribbean Princess, which had been on a 14-day cruise in the Caribbean, has cut short its current voyage due to more than 300 passengers having fallen ill with a suspected case of norovirus.

The affected guests are currently being treated by the on board medical team and there are no cases of coronavirus identified among guests or crew, Princess Cruises has said in a statement.

Yesterday, at least 89 passengers on board Saga’s Spirit of Discovery were also reported to have fallen ill with norovirus and the ship was refused entry into Gibraltar.

As of Monday, the death toll for coronavirus, which has now been officially named Covid-19 by the World Health Organisation, surpassed 1,000, with at least 42,500 confirmed cases in 24 countries.

For the latest information and updates on coronavirus, visit the FOC website.