Japan14 people who were positive for corona virus on Diamond Princess yacht were allowed to board a plane evacuated back home, the US State Department today confirmed.

These people are part of a group of more than 300 American citizens and their family members evacuated by plane from Diamond Princess yacht, being isolated in Japan to return home.

Earlier, when American citizens left the Diamond Princess to prepare for boarding the plane, officials were told that 14 people were positive for nCoV, according to a joint statement between the Ministry of Health and Human Services. (HHS) and the US Department of State today.

After consulting with HHS, the State Department decided to allow them to board the plane and would isolate them from other passengers.

"These individuals are brought to a dedicated isolation area on the plane as quickly and safely as possible. During the flight, these individuals will be separated from other passengers," HHS said.

Other passengers will also be closely monitored during the flight. "Anyone with symptoms will be taken to an isolated area on the plane where they will be treated," the agency said.

US citizens and relatives began boarding two aircraft deployed by the State Department to return home this morning. The first flight will land at a US military base in California, while the second flight will arrive at another military base in San Antonio, Texas. All returning passengers will be isolated for 14 days.

HSS made the announcement just a day after 40 US citizens infected with nCoV on the Diamond Princess were denied boarding the plane.

Diamond Princess Cruise, carrying 3,711 passengers and crew members, was quarantined as of 4 February in the Port of Yokohama, after a tourist from Hong Kong last month was positive for nCoV. Yacht yesterday recorded an additional 70 people infected with corona virus, bringing the total number of cases to 355, making it the second largest outbreak in the world, just behind mainland China.

The Covid-19 epidemic broke out in Wuhan, China in December 2019, appearing in 27 countries and territories. The epidemic caused 1,775 deaths, 71,330 people infected, of which 10,607 were cured.