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Two Irish passengers who were on board the Princess Diamond cruise ship have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, T\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney has confirmed.<\/p>\nTwo Irish passengers who were on board the Princess Diamond cruise ship have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, T\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney has confirmed.<\/p>\n
The two Irish citizens, who are living abroad, are being treated in hospital in Japan.<\/p>\n
Six Irish citizens were on board the Princess Diamond, which is currently docked off Yokahama, Japan.<\/p>\n
In a statement Mr Coveney said: \u201cTwo of these tested positive for Covid-19 and are currently being treated in hospital in Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese citizens share dual citizenship with another EU member state and are not normally resident in Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur embassy in Tokyo is in ongoing contact with them regarding their consular needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Coveney added: \u201cWe are also in close contact with those who remain in quarantine on the ship.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working with our EU partners and other like-minded countries regarding options for their return.<\/p>\n
\u201cNine Irish citizens were passengers on the Westerdam Cruise Ship, which is currently docked off Sihanoukville, Cambodia.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeven are currently being screened, along with other passengers and crew.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur embassy in Hanoi is in ongoing contact with the citizens regarding their consular needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly two of these seven are normally resident in Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to RT\u00c9\u2019s Morning Ireland, Mr Coveney said Department of Foreign Affairs officials are working with Irish nationals on both ships to make sure they\u2019re safe.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people in China have died from the infection, known as Covid-19, which has struck down thousands.<\/p>\n
The department said it could not comment on individual cases.<\/p>\n
In a statement, it added: \u201cWe are closely following the events concerning the Diamond Princess and we are in contact with the Irish citizens concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are continuing to liaise closely with like-minded countries, EU partners and the health authorities in Japan and here in Ireland concerning the best course of action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people have tested positive for the virus on board the quarantined Diamond Princess.<\/p>\n