SALT LAKE CITY — Cruises might be meant for relaxation, but for those quarantined on a ship anchored off Yokohama, Japan, amid fears of the new coronavirus spreading, the situation seems anything but.
“We have no windows. We’re in a box,” said John Haering, of Tooele County, explaining that it’s becoming harder for him and his wife to keep track of time without any sunlight after more than 29 days aboard.
But despite the discomfort, the Haerings — one of two Utah couples quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan — are trying to stay optimistic as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise.
Six more passengers tested positive for the virus Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases among the more than 3,600 passengers and crew members to 69, according to the Associated Press.
There have so far been 37,198 confirmed cases of the virus worldwide, the AP reported, resulting in 812 deaths.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Japan released a statement saying it “continues to closely monitor the situation on the Diamond Princess.”
“We are in constant communication with the Japanese government, Carnival, as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are providing all appropriate consular assistance to U.S. citizens on board the Diamond Princess as well as those who’ve been transferred to local hospitals,” according to the statement.
Like Mark and Jerri Jorgensens, of St. George, Sunday was the sixth day the Haerings spent quarantined in their room.
“We have a balcony, so we are able to get fresh air,” Jerry Jorgensen said.
But unlike the Jorgensens, the Haerings are confined to a windowless room below deck.
Both couples said they have only spent about an hour on deck since the quarantine began.
“People tell us, ‘Why don’t you just get off that ship?’ and we told them, ‘We don’t have an option. We aren’t free to go,’” John Haering said. “We are tied down to this room. They have security from the Japanese authorities that will make sure that we stay in here.”
The Haerings were also concerned because they hadn’t been checked for the virus as of Saturday.
“We don’t know why we haven’t been swabbed,” Melanie Haering said. “Even though we don’t have symptoms, we should be swabbed.”
According to the couple, only a small fraction of the passengers on board the ship have been swabbed for the coronavirus. Passengers were given thermometers, and if they get a fever they are required to tell cruise ship officials.
“Sixty-four people have tested positive out of 299 swabs, so there could logically be a lot more people who are infected on this ship,” John Haering said before updated figures were released. “We’ve offered to pay — we will pay because we want to know.”
“They say you can even carry it and not have symptoms,” Melanie Haering added.
The Haerings were especially concerned because they spent time in Hong Kong and were on the ship with the very first passenger to have the virus.
“We think we’re fine, but it would be nice to know that, ‘Hey, they took a swab and you’re OK,’” John Haering said.
Both couples said about 60 doctors and 200 nurses have been added to the medical staff, and cruise officials have also opened a 24-hour hotline to offer counseling services.
The Jorgensens said they received an email from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo saying they will be able to get off the ship after the 14-day quarantine and fly back to the states.
“Per current information from the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, after passengers finish their 14-day quarantine period they will be permitted to depart Japan on commercial flights, which are readily available, and will not be subject to additional quarantine upon return to the United States,” according to a statement from the State Department.