Two Irish passengers who were trapped on the Diamond Princess luxury liner have tested positive for coronavirus.
They were last night being treated in strict isolation in a Japanese hospital.
It was yesterday confirmed 15 Irish people from two cruise ships have been caught up in the COVID-19 epidemic.
Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said: “We are working with Irish nationals on both of those ships to make sure they are safe.”
As well as the two positive cases, four others, including a Co Meath couple, remain in quarantine and are being screened on board the Diamond Princess, docked off Yokohama.
Another seven Irish citizens are unable to leave the liner Westerdam in the Cambodian port city of Sihanoukville.
Two tourists from the cruise ship returned to Ireland at the weekend and have entered self-imposed isolation at their home.
Passengers were initially allowed to disembark in Cambodia but an American subsequently tested positive.
At that stage the Irish couple were already on their way home.
On the Diamond Princess, however, experts say the enforced quarantine has backfired.
Instead of controlling the contagion, the ship has instead become a breeding ground.
Another 88 people tested positive yesterday, bringing confirmed cases on board up to 542.
Infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci told USA Today: “The quarantine process failed.
“I’d like to sugarcoat it and try to be diplomatic about it but it failed. People were getting infected.”
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 fatality toll 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 said his officials have been speaking with all Irish passengers on board both cruise ships.
He is liasing with his EU counterparts about evacuating those trapped.
The minister said: “If they need to be brought home then we can co-ordinate that and if they need medical attention they will get that.”
A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs added: “Six Irish citizens were on board the Princess Diamond.
“Two of these tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently being treated in hospital in Japan.
“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.”
