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Coronavirus: Grand Princess cruise ship waits off California for virus tests Coronavirus: Trump signs $8.3bn aid bill as cases rise
(about 1 hour later)
A cruise ship carrying 3,500 people is waiting off the coast of California while tests for coronavirus are carried out on dozens of them. US President Donald Trump has signed an $8.3bn (£6.4bn) emergency bill to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
One passenger died and at least four others became infected on a previous voyage by the ship, the Grand Princess. With confirmed cases reaching 233 - in addition to 14 deaths - Mr Trump urged calm, adding: "It'll go away."
Test kits were delivered by military helicopter on Thursday as the vessel sat off San Francisco. The White House has faced criticism for its response, and has acknowledged the US does not have enough test kits to meet rising demand.
The US has now recorded about 200 cases and 14 deaths as the global struggle with the virus continues. Results are being awaited of tests on passengers on board a cruise ship being held off San Francisco, California.
Signing a $8.3bn (£6.4bn) emergency spending bill to combat the virus on Friday, President Donald Trump insisted there was no reason to panic amid the growing outbreak and deepening concern. Dozens of passengers were tested on Thursday after a passenger died and at least four others became infected on a previous voyage by the ship, the Grand Princess.
"Calm, you have to be calm," he said. "It'll go away." More than 100,000 coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide and over 3,400 deaths, according to data collated by Johns Hopkins University. The majority of cases and deaths are in China, where the virus first emerged in December.
"In terms of cases it's very, very few."
More than 92,000 cases have been recorded worldwide, with 80,552 in China, where the virus originated. China also accounts for the vast majority of deaths - 3,042 to date.
Stocks in Asia and the UK fell sharply on Friday as investors continued to worry about the broader economic effects of the virus.Stocks in Asia and the UK fell sharply on Friday as investors continued to worry about the broader economic effects of the virus.
What will the bill cover?
In a rare display of bipartisanship, the emergency bill was rushed through by lawmakers in the US Congress with near unanimity.
The bill also allocates almost $500m for public healthcare providers to administer at-home care to elderly patients.
The package marks a substantial jump from the $2.5bn proposed by the White House last month.
The president is expected to pay a visit to the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta - the frontline agency for the country's coronavirus response.
Speaking to media on Friday, Mr Trump repeated his claim that the US cases have been limited "because we have been very strong at the borders".
"In terms of cases it's very, very few," he said.
Why is the cruise ship under such scrutiny?Why is the cruise ship under such scrutiny?
Californian Governor Gavin Newsom has refused to allow the ship to dock until its passengers are properly assessed. Test results are expected later on Friday. California Governor Gavin Newsom has refused to allow the ship to dock until its passengers are properly assessed. Test results are expected later on Friday.
There are 142 Britons among those aboard the ship, which is returning from a voyage to Hawaii after a trip to Mexico last month.There are 142 Britons among those aboard the ship, which is returning from a voyage to Hawaii after a trip to Mexico last month.
In a statement, the company that operates the ship said samples had been taken from 45 people - both guests and staff - and that all passengers had been confined to their quarters pending the outcome.
A man who sailed on the Grand Princess to Mexico died of coronavirus on Wednesday. The 71-year-old from the Sacramento area had underlying health conditions, officials say.A man who sailed on the Grand Princess to Mexico died of coronavirus on Wednesday. The 71-year-old from the Sacramento area had underlying health conditions, officials say.
Two other passengers from that voyage are in hospital with the virus in northern California while two Canadians who recently sailed on the ship tested positive after returning home. Two other passengers from that voyage are in hospital with the virus in northern California while two Canadians who recently sailed on the ship tested positive after returning home.
Another US passenger from the Mexico voyage, Judy Cadiz, said she and her husband had fallen ill after returning but had not given it much thought until learning of the death.Another US passenger from the Mexico voyage, Judy Cadiz, said she and her husband had fallen ill after returning but had not given it much thought until learning of the death.
Now they cannot get a straight answer about how to get tested, she was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. Now they cannot get a straight answer about how to get tested, she was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.
"They're telling us to stay home, but nobody told me until yesterday to stay home," she added."They're telling us to stay home, but nobody told me until yesterday to stay home," she added.
"We were in Sacramento, we were in Martinez, we were in Oakland. We took a train home from the cruise. I really hope that we're negative so nobody got infected.""We were in Sacramento, we were in Martinez, we were in Oakland. We took a train home from the cruise. I really hope that we're negative so nobody got infected."
Another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, saw a dramatic outbreak while being held in quarantine in Japan last month. Six people died, with 621 infected.Another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, saw a dramatic outbreak while being held in quarantine in Japan last month. Six people died, with 621 infected.
Both ships are operated by the same company, Princess Cruises.Both ships are operated by the same company, Princess Cruises.
The US Congress rushed to approve the bumper emergency aid package to combat coronavirus, with the White House acknowledging the country lacks enough test kits. Carolyn Wright, a passenger on the Grand Princess ship, told AFP news agency there was no panic on board.
Nine of the 12 fatalities were from the same nursing home in Seattle, Washington State, but infections have been reported across 20 states. Thirteen of the 14 US fatalities were from the same nursing home in Seattle, Washington State, but infections have been reported across 20 states.
What is happening elsewhere?What is happening elsewhere?
Are you or anyone else you know on board the Grand Princess? Tell us your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you or anyone else you know on board the Grand Princess? Tell us your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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