Japan’s health ministry says two passengers taken off the Diamond Princess cruise ship because they were infected with coronavirus have died.

Officials say the passengers were both Japanese and in their 80s.

The passengers both were hospitalized in serious condition and had existing chronic diseases.

Coronavirus has infected tens of thousands of people across the world. More than 620 cases were confirmed on board the Diamond Princess.

The ship started letting passengers who tested negative for the virus leave on Wednesday. The process will continue today.