Japan apologizes after passengers cleared to leave ship test positive for COVID-19

A woman in her 60s tested negative and was cleared to disembark the Diamond Princess cruise ship but later tested positive for COVID-19, raising concerns about Japan's quarantine measures.

She traveled home by train after leaving the ship and developed a fever before testing positive the following day.

Health Minister Katsunobu Kato apologized after admitting that 23 passengers were allowed to leave without adequate testing.

More than 20 foreigners evacuated from the ship have also tested positive after returning home.

Concerns have been raised about the potential spread of the virus among the ship's crew who were not always isolated.

The health minister defended the quarantine, citing the lack of adequate facilities to admit all passengers at once.