Diamond Princess passenger becomes first British person to die of coronavirus
A UK passenger who was aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship has become the first British man to die of coronavirus.
"We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Japan and are in contact with local authorities," A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said confirming the news, first announced by Japan's Health Ministry.
"Our sympathies and thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
The man was one of four British passengers who had to remain in Japan after testing positive to the disease following two weeks on the virus-stricken ship, docked in Yokohama.
An ambulance leaves Yokohama Port where the Diamond Princess, back, is docked in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. The cruise ship is still carrying nearly 3,500 passengers and crew members under quarantine until at least Feb. 19. AP
It's understood he was being treated in a Japanese hospital.
In total, 705 people, including passengers and crew members on the cruise ship, tested positive for COVID-19.
Six of those people have now died but the British man is the first foreign passenger to die, according to Japanese media Kyodo News.
The news comes as the UK confirms its first cases in Wales and Northern Ireland, bringing the total to 19.
Globally, there have been a total of 83,704 cases confirmed and 2,859 deaths.
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