According to reports in Japan, a British man has died after contracting coronavirus on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan.
With the latest reports, a total of six persons have now died after the cruise liner was put on lockdown just off the port of Yokohama.
However, the death of the British man was confirmed by the Japan Ministry of Health, just hours a female passenger reported to be in her 70s, became the fifth person to die on the ship.
The Foreign Office said it was aware of the report but yet to confirm it.
The cruise ship has been stranded near Tokyo for weeks, since February 3, amid fears the coronavirus would spread after a passenger who got off the ship in Hong Kong reportedly tested positive for the virus.
In an effort to halt the spread of the virus onboard the cruise ship, passengers have been required to stay in their rooms since February 5, the health ministry said in a previous statement.
Health Minister Jo Churchill has said she was aware a British man who had been on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship was “very poorly”.
She told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: “The Foreign Office are supporting the family of a British man who has been very poorly and was a passenger on board the Diamond Princess.
“I haven’t had confirmation, because obviously I’m on the telephone to you, but I was aware there was a gentleman who was very, very poorly, and I’m sure like me your thoughts and sympathies go out to his family at this time.
