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The first case of novel coronavirus in Ventura County has been confirmed preliminarily, county officials said Friday, and involves the Grand Princess cruise ship currently floating near San Francisco while testing is done on passengers.

The local positive test result involving someone who went on a previous voyage of the ship was confirmed by the Ventura County Public Health Lab on Thursday. Secondary confirmation is still being awaited from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

County officials said five other Ventura County residents also traveled on the Grand Princess from San Francisco to Mexico, returning to San Francisco on Feb. 21.

Four of those people, including the spouse of the person who tested positive locally, show no symptoms and are being quarantined in their homes.

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In addition to the person who tested positive, one other local passenger — also in home quarantine — has shown symptoms. But officials said test results received from the county public health lab late Friday show no signs of coronavirus.

Health officials declined to reveal identifying information on any of the passengers.

Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin said in a news release that the risk to the community remains low.

“There is no evidence of community transmission in Ventura County. This is a travel related case,” he said, praising the response of the county public health lab and nurses. “We understand the concern this new virus is causing. ... Community members are encouraged to take the same steps they would take to help prevent colds and the flu.”

The Grand Princess is currently afloat near San Francisco while more than 3,500 people wait for coronavirus test results from some passengers. Officials ordered the ship to stay off the coast until testing is concluded of those on board who stayed aboard from the previous trip and those who are displaying coronavirus symptoms.

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“The ship will not come on shore until we appropriately assess the passengers,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday. Depending on what they find, authorities could order a quarantine of all or some of those aboard.

Vice President Mike Pence said Friday 21 people aboard the ship on the current voyage tested positive for the virus. He said everybody on the ship will be tested.

On the earlier voyage carrying the six area residents, passengers were not placed under travel restrictions because the ship's destination was not listed as at-risk, Ventura County health officials said.

Placer County officials announced Wednesday a 71-year-old man who was on the same Grand Princess voyage to Mexico died in Placer County after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The Ventura County resident who ultimately tested positive wasn’t feeling well after the voyage and left home only to seek medical attention, health officials said. The person visited a primary-care doctor twice, said Ashley Bautista, Ventura County public information officer.

On the second visit, the person was asked by the doctor to stay in the car while a specimen was dropped off at curbside for coronavirus testing, Bautista said, adding that the precaution was taken to limit exposure. She declined to reveal any information about the site of the visit except to say it was not a hospital.

“Ventura County Public Health is working close with that (medical) location to make sure that all protocol was followed,” she said.

The patient remains in home quarantine and is not in need of hospital attention, said Bautista. The person’s spouse remains in quarantine, as well.

Officials issued the news release on the positive test Friday afternoon, a day after the preliminary test result was received.

“We needed to gather the facts on the situation before we put out information,” Bautista said.

Health officials are working with the state in tracking down the patient’s contacts, she said.

Other than the patient and their spouse, the other four passengers are also in quarantine, but the 14-day period has almost expired for the three who have no symptoms, Bautista said. They will then be released if their conditions do not change

As of Friday, 69 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed across California.

By the numbers

In California: As of Friday, 69 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed across California.

In the U.S.: As of Friday afternoon, the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus stood at 14, with all but one victim in Washington state, while the number of infections swelled to more than 200, scattered across about half the states. Pennsylvania, Indiana, Minnesota and Nebraska reported their first cases.

Worldwide: The virus has infected more than 100,000 people and killed more than 3,400, the vast majority of them in China. Most cases have been mild, and more than half of those infected have recovered.

Protect your health

Wash hands with soap and water

Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com or 805-437-0255. USA TODAY also contributed to this report.

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