Two Irish passengers who were trapped on the Diamond Princess luxury liner have tested positive for coronavirus.
They are currently being treated in strict isolation in a Japanese hospital.
It’s been confirmed 15 Irish people from two cruise liners have been caught up in the COVID-19 epidemic.
“We are working with Irish nationals on both of those ships to make sure they are safe,” Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said.
As well as the two positive cases, four more Irish, including a Co Meath couple, remain quarantined and are being screened on board the Diamond Princess in Yokohama.
Another seven Irish citizens are unable to leave the cruise ship, Westerdam, in the Cambodian port city of Sihanoukville.
Two Irish passengers from the Westerdam returned to Ireland at the week-end and have entered self-imposed isolation at their home.
Passengers were initially allowed to disembark in Cambodia but an American passenger subsequently tested positive.
At that stage the Irish couple were on their way home.
Enforced quarantine on the Diamond Princess has backfired, experts say.
Instead of controlling the contagion, the ship has become a breeding ground.
Another 88 people tested positive yesterday, bringing confirmed cases on board up to 542.
“The quarantine process failed,” said Dr Anthony Fauci, echoing the view of many experts.
“I’d like to sugarcoat it and try to be diplomatic about it but it failed. People were getting infected,” the infectious diseases expert told USA Today.
Minister Coveney said his officials have been speaking with all Irish on board both ships.
The hospitalised Irish couple also hold citizenship of another EU country and are not resident in Ireland.
Their medical condition is unknown.
China yesterday reported 1,886 new cases with 98 deaths.
The overall death total on the mainland is now 1,868 with confirmed cases rising to more than 72,000.
So far Ireland remains COVID-19 free with more than 100 tests returning negative.
Mr Coveney is liasing with EU counterparts about evacuating citizens trapped on the ships.
He said: “If they need to be brought home then we can coordinate that and if they need medical attention they will get that. .
A statement for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “Six Irish citizens were on board the Princess Diamond Cruise Ship, which is currently docked off Yokahama, Japan.
“Two of these tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus) and are currently being treated in hospital in Japan.
“These citizens share dual citizenship with another EU member state and are not normally resident in Ireland. “Our Embassy in Tokyo is in ongoing contact with them regarding their consular needs.
“We are also in close contact with those who remain in quarantine on the ship.
“We are working with our EU Partners and other like-minded countries regarding options for their return.”
