MANILA -- The Filipino who tested positive for the 2019-novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCov ARD) in Japan is "responding positively" to treatment, a ranking diplomat at the Philippine embassy in Tokyo reported Friday.
"The information we have is that the Filipino is responding positively to the treatment. We are in touch with the hospital to get more updates," Deputy Chief of Mission Robespierre Bolivar said in a text message.
The Filipino was among the 10 persons on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship who initially tested positive for 2019-nCov ARD.
The number has climbed to 61 on February 7 after the Japanese Ministry of Health confirmed another group of 41 persons inside the ship was infected by the virus.
The new cases include 21 Japanese nationals and 20 foreigners. None of them was Filipino.
"As of this time, only one Filipino on board the ship has tested positive for the virus, and is now in hospital undergoing treatment," the DFA said in a statement.
The Japanese Health Ministry confirmed in a press conference on Friday that all 273 suspected cases on board the ship have already been tested.
The Ministry also said the ship would remain under the mandatory 14-day quarantine period until February 19.
The embassy continues to work with both the Philippine and Japanese government agencies to provide assistance to all Filipinos on board the cruise ship. (PNA)
