Japan's Corona Ship: A fourth Israeli passenger is infected with the Chinese virus

While the passengers were being taken off the ship and flying to Israel, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that another Israeli had been diagnosed with the virus and would be transferred to continue receiving medical treatment. The condition of the three additional infections continues to be mild, and they are hospitalized in isolation. Two Japanese seniors staying on the ship died of the virus

Japan's Corona Ship: A fourth Israeli passenger is infected with the Chinese virus

Corona Virus - Latest Updates

• A fourth Israeli passenger infected the virus on the Diamond Princess ship in Japan
• Three Israelis on board are infected and hospitalized in isolation in Japan; Their condition is easy
• The remaining passengers are expected to leave today and take off on a dedicated flight to Israel

Just before take-off back to Israel, a fourth Israeli passenger was infected with the Corona virus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, the Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday. The passenger is expected to get off the deck for further treatment. This, after Japanese media reported tonight that two passengers on the ship, a man and woman in their 80s who were infected with the virus, died of the disease.

Three Israeli travelers have already been diagnosed with the Chinese virus and are hospitalized in isolation at two military hospitals in Japan. Prof. Ran Nir-Paz, an infectious disease specialist from Hadassah Hospital in Japan on behalf of the Ministry of Health, said the condition of the three continues to be easy.

At the same time, after two weeks of isolation, the evacuation of the ship and the lowering of passengers that began yesterday are expected to end today. Of the 11 Israelis who have not been diagnosed with the virus, one couple got off the deck yesterday and transferred to a hotel in Tokyo, while the rest will be evacuated during the day and will go straight to the airport in Japan's capital. In the evening (local time) they will take off on a designated aircraft from the insurance companies expected to land in the country tomorrow morning.

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Passengers aboard Diamond Princess ship today (Photo: Reuters)

Removing passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Japan's coast after staying in isolation following the Corona virus - February 20, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Local crews clear passengers and equipment off the boat, today (Photo: Reuters)

Removing passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Japan's coast after staying in isolation following the Corona virus - February 20, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

One of the ship's passengers, Nicole Ben-David, said excitedly that "In four hours we are scheduled to go on the flight.

Two other travelers described the recent preparations for returning to shore. "Let's just say it's very challenging. There were hard days but there were also many good days. There were a little better days than hard days. These are tears of joy," she said, crying. "We are already packing and it is time for us to go downstairs."

The first team to come in contact with Israelis from the Corona ship: "Not afraid of infection"

Buses arrive to evacuate passengers, today (Photo: Reuters)

Removing passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Japan's coast after staying in isolation following the Corona virus - February 20, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Japanese teams aboard Diamond Princess, today (Photo: Reuters)

Removing passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Japan's coast after staying in isolation following the Corona virus - February 20, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Israeli travelers will return to Israel on a special flight organized by insurance companies, which will depart at 9:30 pm (local time) tonight and is expected to land in Israel tomorrow morning. A joint statement from the Foreign Ministry and Health confirmed that two of the healthy Israeli passengers were released and the remainder expected to drop today. The ministries said they had passed instructions to Israeli passengers, and they were scheduled to drop at 6pm today at 6pm. From the moment they land, the Israelis will be sent for a two-week isolation at Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital.

3,700 passengers and crew were on the cruise ship, of which 620 were infected - about half of the total number of people infected outside China. A major criticism has been drawn of the Japanese government's conduct in the crisis around the ship, which has docked in Yokohama since February 3. Japanese Health Minister Tsunobu Kato defended the government's steps. "Unfortunately, the infections have gone up, but we have taken the necessary steps to avoid serious cases," the Japanese media quoted him as saying.

(Update first: 07:22)