1st Filipino COVID-19 case in cruise ship ‘successfully treated,’ to be discharged from hospital

MANILA, Philippines — The first Filipino who tested positive for COVID-19 aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked off Japan has “been successfully treated,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DFA said the unnamed Filipino crew member will also be discharged from the hospital in Japan today.

“The (DFA), together with the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, is pleased to announce that the first Filipino crew member who tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the hospital on February 5 has been successfully treated and is scheduled to be discharged today, February 19,” the DFA said.

According to the department, the remaining 40 Filipinos who tested positive for the virus are in medical facilities in and around Tokyo

“This includes the new group of six Filipinos who tested positive for the virus today,” it said.

The DFA said the embassy in touch with those who have been admitted to the hospitals “in order to ensure their well-being and to provide them any assistance they need.”

‘Cleared for disembarkation’

“The Embassy, in coordination with the Japanese Government and the management of Princess Cruises, is finalizing the details, logistics, and schedule of the repatriation of Filipino crew and passengers on board the Diamond Princess, as the Japanese Government-imposed quarantine of the ship ends today,” the DFA said.

The department noted that all the 538 Filipino crew and passengers have been cleared for disembarkation from cruise ship, which has been quarantined off a Yokohama port since Feb. 4.

The said Filipinos will be assisted by the embassy and Princess Cruises, and will be repatriated back to the Philippines as soon as possible, the DFA said.

“Filipinos who are in hospital for treatment will be repatriated as soon as the hospitals grant them medical clearance,” it added.