Dozens more people tested positive for the new coronavirus on the quarantined Diamond Princess ship, bringing the total to more than 450, Japan’s health minister Katsunobu Kato said.
The 14-day quarantine is due to come to an end this week but for hundreds of Americans who have been evacuated, their ordeal will continue much longer.
They were given a take it or leave it option of being flown back to the US but must undergo a further 14 days in quarantine at air bases in Texas and California.
That has unsurprisingly irked many with some opting to stay in Japan.
There was further anger when 14 Americans were found to be infected before boarding the planes.
They were eventually allowed to fly even though other passengers infected earlier and taken off the ship were not allowed to fly.
US officials say the 14 were not showing any symptoms.
"After consultation with Health and Human Services officials, the State Department made the decision to allow the 14 individuals, who were in isolation, to remain on the aircraft to complete the evacuation process," a statement said.
"These individuals were moved in the most expeditious and safe manner to a specialized containment area on the evacuation aircraft."
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said patients showing minimal symptoms can still pass the virus to others.
