TOKYO: The Health Ministry of Japan said today that 39 new cases of the virus have been confirmed on a cruise ship that was quarantined at a Japanese port.

With this, the total number of people affected with the virus on the Diamond Princess has reached 174.

The health ministry said the virus was also confirmed in an official who had participated in the initial quarantine checks.

With this, the number of cases infected by the new virus, COVID-19 has reached 203 in Japan.

COVID-19 is the name given to the coronavirus that began in China in December.

(With inputs from Agencies)