(Image source from: english.mathrubhumi.com)

A third Indian crew on board a cruise ship off the coast of Japan has been tested positive for being affected by the novel coronavirus, as said by the Indian Embassy in Japan on Friday.

The authorities have confirmed that around 218 people have been infected on the ship that has been quarantined, with the deadly coronavirus which has now be named as COVID- 19.

The cruise ship known as Diamond Princess has arrived at the coast of Japan early last week. The number of people on board the cruise ship is said to be 3,711. the ship has been quarantined after a passenger who had de- boarded last month in Hong Kong has been identified as a carrier of the COVID- 19 on the ship.

The ship is said to be boarded by a total of 138 Indians which includes 132 crew and 6 passengers.

According to the statement that has been made by the Indian Embassy in Tokyo, it says that three Indian crew members among the total of 218 people have been tested positive as being affected buy the deadly coronavirus which is claiming lives of many across the world and is said to infecting many more.

The Indian Embassy in Japan has said on Saturday that the efforts are being made in order to disembark all the Indians on the cruise ship has come to an end.

An email has also been sent to all the nationals of India on board the ship and has assured help and assistance to all of them. The Embassy has also requested the Indian nationals to follow the health and quarantine protocols of the government of Japan, as said by the embassy on its Facebook page.

The deadly coronavirus that has named as COVID-19 has recorded to be started in the Wuhan city of China on the 31st of December in the last year and it had spread to several people at a steady rate and also over several nations. The first case of COVID-19 claiming a life has been recorded in Philippines.

The deadly virus is said to have been affected over 67,107 and has claimed around 1,526 deaths where as 8,365 have been recovered from the deadly disease.

By Shrithika Kushangi