The two Japanese were taken off the ship last week and died in hospital. The man had previously had problems with bronchial asthma and was treated for angina. The woman had no prior medical problems. The direct cause of her death was pneumonia, according to the Department of Health.
- They were sent to medical clinics when they showed symptoms. I am sure they received the best possible treatment, says Japan's Health Minister Katsunobu Kato and in front of his condolences to the relatives.
Government officials were infectedAt the same time, Japan states that two more government officials working on the ship have been infected by the virus. Previously, three Japanese government officials have tested positive for the virus, Reuters reports.
The number of infected on board has steadily increased since the ship was first isolated in the port of Japanese Yokohama on February 3.
After China, Diamond Princess is the largest cluster of cases found. On Wednesday, however, over 400 people were able to leave the ship after testing negative for the virus and showing no symptoms during the 14-day quarantine. More people are scheduled to leave the ship in the coming days.
Infected persons have previously been taken to hospitals.
On Wednesday, Iran's health ministry announced that two Iranian citizens have died after being confirmed to be infected by the virus, the BBC writes. According to spokesman Kianush Jahanpour, people are said to have died due to old age and poor immune system.
At the same time, however, the people should not have traveled outside Iran, or even left the province of Qom, before becoming infected, state news agency Irna said. The agency also states that schools and universities in Qom will be closed during Thursday as a precautionary measure.
These are the first two deaths due to the corona virus confirmed in the Middle East.