A Utah couple is among thousands of people quarantined on two cruise ships in Asia as the new disease called COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, continues to spread.
"We have six days left [in our quarantine]. So, in eight days, they've offered us two opportunities to leave our room for an hour to go up to the upper deck. However, we elected not to do that just because we don't want to take the risk and, you know, what if somebody up there is sick and the quarantine starts over?" Karey Maniscalco told FOX 13 in an interview conducted via video conference.
The ship now has 218 people infected with the virus out of 713 people tested since it entered Yokohama Port on Feb. 3.
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato says five patients now in hospitals have severe symptoms and are on artificial respirators or under intensive care.
Japan's government has decided to allow passengers older than 80 to get off the ship after testing negative for the virus.
Those with chronic health problems or in cabins without windows will be given priority.
