Confirmed: 2 Irish cruise ship passengers diagnosed with Coronavirus

The Tánaiste confirmed in a statement that the pair affected are being treated in Japan 

Two Irish passengers who were on board the Princess Diamond cruise ship have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus, Tánaiste Simon Coveney has confirmed.

The two Irish citizens, who are living abroad, are being treated in a hospital in Japan. They were reportedly among six Irish on board the ship.

“Six Irish citizens were on board the Princess Diamond cruise ship, which is currently docked off Yokahama, Japan,” he said.

“Two of these tested positive for COVID-19 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.”

“No positive test in Ireland”

He stressed that Ireland remained COVID-19 free; there have been no positive tests confirmed here, despite precautionary tests taking place. “There has been no positive test in Ireland, despite the fact there have been over 100 tests on a precautionary basis here,” he added. He told the Cabinet, however, that the country remains on “high alert” and “vigilant.”

Another nine Irish citizens are believed to be passengers on the Westerdam Cruise Ship which is docked off Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

Seven of these are currently being screened for the virus.

The HSE says the risk is “low” that the coronavirus will make it to Ireland, but insists it is fully equipped to handle it should the situation arise.

Symptoms

It can take up to 14 days for the symptoms of Coronavirus to appear.

These symptoms may include:

• a cough
• shortness of breath
• breathing difficulties
• fever (high temperature)

Coronavirus can also cause more severe illness including:

• pneumonia
• severe acute respiratory syndrome
• kidney failure

If there is a case here, health professionals will try to contact anyone who has been in contact with the infected person.

If you are not contacted, you are extremely unlikely to catch coronavirus.

You do not need to follow any advice in relation to coronavirus if you have:

• not been to mainland China
• not been in contact with a person who has coronavirus
• not been to a healthcare facility where patients with coronavirus were treated
• recently returned from Hong Kong or Macau and have not travelled through mainland China

For more information, visit: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus 

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