Two Maltese persons are in quarantine after arriving back in Malta following a holiday on a cruise liner on which one passenger tested positive for the virus.

In a statement, the Health Authorities said they are following up the global situation in respect of the COVID-2019 outbreak. 

Two Maltese passengers who were on the cruise liner MS Westerdam which disembarked in Cambodia, were followed up and were screened upon their arrival in Malta.

They are not showing any signs or symptoms of respiratory disease. They are in quarantine as a precautionary measure and are being followed up by public health authorities, the statement said.

The cruise ship was turned away by other Asian and Pacific governments due to virus fears before Cambodia allowed it to anchor off the coast last Thursday, with the passengers and crew checked by meidcal staff.

They were stranded at sea for two weeks before being allowed ashore on Friday, with the passengers later disembarking to a reception of flowers, since it was Valentine's Day.

Malaysia said an 83-year-old American woman who was a passenger on the ship has tested positive for the virus. The health ministry said 145 passengers from the ship flew to Malaysia on Friday.

The woman and her 85-year-old husband were found to have symptoms upon arrival at the Kuala Lumpur airport and were taken to a hospital for further tests.

The woman was diagnosed with the virus Saturday. Her husband tested negative but was still under observation. The woman's case raised Malaysia’s total number of cases to 22.