As new coronavirus cases climb, Canadians in Wuhan to be flown out Thursday

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This article was published 05/02/2020 (1854 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A chartered plane carrying Canadians from the centre of a virus outbreak in China is scheduled to depart Thursday.

Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says the flight will wait in Vietnam for final permission from Chinese authorities to land in Wuhan.

Off the coast of Japan, a cruise ship carrying 251 Canadians among others has been quarantined following a confirmed outbreak of the new coronavirus.

A statement from Princess Cruises says 10 people have tested positive for the virus, but none are Canadian.

Health officials in British Columbia believe a woman in her 50s in the Vancouver area has contracted the new coronavirus, and if confirmed will be Canada’s fifth case.

The viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 24,500 people globally with 490 deaths and 24,324 confirmed cases on the mainland, and one in Hong Kong.

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

—With files from The Associated Press