"Given that there was evidence of continued spread of disease aboard Diamond Princess in recent days, some positive cases after returning to Australia are not unexpected, despite all pre-departure health screening," said Brendan Murphy, medical officer at the Australian Government Office, in a statement.

164 isolated in Australia

The infected Australians have been isolated and reportedly feeling relatively well.

A total of 164 people were brought to Australia from the virus vessel. They will now spend over two weeks at the Howard Springs Quarantine Plant near Darwin in Northern Australia.

Workers in protective clothing and one of the healthy passengers who were allowed to leave the ship. Photo: Philip Fong

Evacuation of healthy

The passengers of Diamond Princess have been in quarantine since the ship arrived in Japan on February 5. On February 20, evacuation of healthy persons began on the ship. Persons infected with the coronavirus have previously been taken to special hospitals.