<p>An additional 99 people have tested positive for coronavirus on a cruise ship off the Japan coast, Japanese media said Monday, citing new figures from the health ministry.</p>.<p>That would take the total number of positive cases on the Diamond Princess to 454. The health ministry declined to confirm the reports immediately.</p>.<p>It was also not clear whether the figures included 14 US citizens who tested positive for the virus but were allowed to board evacuation flights home.</p>.<p>The Diamond Princess vessel moored in Yokohama near Tokyo has become the second-largest cluster of coronavirus cases outside the epicentre in China.</p>.<p>Passengers have been largely confined to quarters since February 5 with only brief and occasional breaks to take air on deck -- with face masks.</p>.<p>The quarantine period is over on Wednesday but many countries have decided to repatriate their citizens after an alarming climb in cases on board.</p>.<p>The US was the first country to evacuate its citizens from the ship but Australia, Canada, Italy and Hong Kong have indicated they will follow suit.</p>.<p>On land, cases in Japan have risen to 65, with authorities warning that the outbreak is entering a "new phase" and advising people to avoid large gatherings.</p>.<p>A public celebration of the new emperor's birthday on Sunday has been scrapped and organisers of the Tokyo Marathon scheduled on March 1 are reportedly considering cancelling the amateur part of the race.</p>
<p>An additional 99 people have tested positive for coronavirus on a cruise ship off the Japan coast, Japanese media said Monday, citing new figures from the health ministry.</p>.<p>That would take the total number of positive cases on the Diamond Princess to 454. The health ministry declined to confirm the reports immediately.</p>.<p>It was also not clear whether the figures included 14 US citizens who tested positive for the virus but were allowed to board evacuation flights home.</p>.<p>The Diamond Princess vessel moored in Yokohama near Tokyo has become the second-largest cluster of coronavirus cases outside the epicentre in China.</p>.<p>Passengers have been largely confined to quarters since February 5 with only brief and occasional breaks to take air on deck -- with face masks.</p>.<p>The quarantine period is over on Wednesday but many countries have decided to repatriate their citizens after an alarming climb in cases on board.</p>.<p>The US was the first country to evacuate its citizens from the ship but Australia, Canada, Italy and Hong Kong have indicated they will follow suit.</p>.<p>On land, cases in Japan have risen to 65, with authorities warning that the outbreak is entering a "new phase" and advising people to avoid large gatherings.</p>.<p>A public celebration of the new emperor's birthday on Sunday has been scrapped and organisers of the Tokyo Marathon scheduled on March 1 are reportedly considering cancelling the amateur part of the race.</p>