Another 67 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, Japan's health ministry said on Saturday. This brings the total number of people infected on board to 285.

The cruise ship has anchored off the coast of Japan and was put on a two-week quarantine that is due to end on February 19. There're around 3,700 people aboard.

On Friday, elderly passengers with chronic illnesses and those who have been tested negative for the new virus were allowed to disembark.

U.S. Embassy in Japan on Saturday said it will evacuate U.S. citizens from the ship amid concerns about deteriorating sanitary conditions on the vessel. A chartered aircraft will arrive in Japan on Sunday evening and leave Tokyo's Haneda airport the following day, the embassy said.