Coronavirus cases on Diamond Princess reach 621, two dead

Coronavirus infections on the Diamond Princess cruise ship rose to 621, making it the largest cluster of COVID-19 cases outside of China.

Two former passengers, a man and a woman in their 80s with underlying conditions, have died after contracting the virus.

Hundreds of passengers began disembarking the ship starting February 19, 2020, after it was quarantined on February 5.

The US CDC issued a low-level travel advisory for Japan, advising travelers to take precautions.

In response to fears of the virus spreading, Tokyo scrapped or postponed indoor events it sponsored for the next three weeks.

Concerns are mounting about Japan's quarantine practices due to the high number of infections on the cruise liner.

Several countries, including the US, sent chartered flights to repatriate their citizens, who will undergo further quarantine.