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235 Canadians on cruise ship held for COVID-19 testing off California coast

235 Canadians on cruise ship held for COVID-19 testing off California coast | iNFOnews.ca
In this photo provided by Michele Smith, a Coast Guard helicopter delivering virus testing kits hovers above the Grand Princess cruise ship Thursday, March 5, 2020, off the California coast. (Michele Smith via AP)

OTTAWA – There are 235 Canadians on the passenger manifest for a cruise ship that is being held off the coast of California for coronavirus testing.

Global Affairs Canada says there are no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus on the ship.

But the federal department says previous passengers of the Grand Princess cruise ship have tested positive for COVID-19, which is the respiratory disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus that first appeared in China last year.

READ MORE: Cruise ship is held off California coast for virus testing

The federal department says it is in contact with the cruise line and local authorities and is monitoring developments closely.

Any Canadians who need emergency assistance are being asked to call the Canadian consulate general in San Francisco.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned "knee-jerk" reactions to the outbreak will not keep people safe as he defended Canada's decision not to close its borders to foreign nationals coming from regions where the outbreak is spreading.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2020.

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.

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