cruise ship, the site of the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside
China, officials say.
The ship has been held in quarantine in a Japanese port since 3
February. Out of 3,700 people on board, 218 have tested positive
for the virus.
US citizens will be offered seats on a government-chartered flight
on Sunday, the US embassy in Tokyo said.
Over 1,500 people have died from the virus, which originated in
Wuhan city.
China's national health commission on Saturday reported 143 new
deaths, bringing the toll to 1,523. All but four of the latest victims
were in Hubei province.
A further 2,641 people have been newly confirmed as infected,
bringing the national total to 66,492.
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Outside mainland China, there have been more than 500 cases in 24
countries, and three deaths: one each in Hong Kong, the Philippines
and Japan.
The outbreak on the Diamond Princess is said to have originated
with an 80-year-old man who disembarked in Hong Kong and was
later diagnosed with the virus. Passengers and crew are being held
in quarantine in Yokohama until Wednesday.
Hundreds of Americans are among those stuck, and at least 24 have
been diagnosed with the virus.
But in a letter, the US embassy in Tokyo said healthy American
citizens on board would be screened for symptoms before being
able to board the plane home on Sunday.
The aircraft is due to fly to Travis Air Force Base in California where
some passengers will stay in quarantine for a further 14 days.
The prospect of more time in isolation seemed to dismay some on
board.
"We would like to just finish the quarantine on the ship as planned,
decompress in a non-quarantine environment in Japan for a few
days, then fly back to the US pursuant to our own arrangements.
What's wrong with that?" tweeted passenger Matthew Smith.
Travis Air Force Base is already the quarantine site for more than
200 Americans previously evacuated from Wuhan.
Australia is also mulling removing its citizens from the cruise ship
following the US move, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. It
is sending an infectious disease expert to assess the best option.
In other developments:
Beijing has ordered everyone returning to the city to go into
quarantine for 14 days or risk punishment
Egypt's health ministry on Friday confirmed the first case of the
coronavirus in Africa. The ministry described the person as a
foreigner, but did not disclose the nationality.
Chinese officials say six health workers have died. Local
authorities have struggled to provide protective equipment such
as respiratory masks, goggles and protective suits in hospitals
in Hubei
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