The government says it is "working intensively" to get British people stranded on a cruise ship struck down with the coronavirus back home.

One of the passengers is a grandmother from Dartford celebrating her 70th birthday on board the Grand Princess – which is currently anchored off the coast of California.

Speaking to KentOnline yesterday, Jackie Bissell said she was desperate to come home and get off the ship where at least 21 people have been diagnosed with the illness.

She urged the government to do more to bring the affected Brits on board the liner home.

The Foreign Office has since said it will be working hard to bring the affected passengers from the UK home.

In a statement, the department said: "We are working intensively with the US authorities on arrangements for a flight for British nationals who are currently on the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California.

"We are in contact with all British nationals on board to offer assistance, as well as local authorities and staff on board the ship."

The ship is due to dock in Oakland today, but Jackie says they have been told only the American passengers will be able to disembark.

Jackie said conditions on board the vessel were not very pleasant and they have been quarantined to their cabin which only has a small window that does not open.

The grandmother-of-three, who is sharing the small room with her friend, said: "We just want to come home, it's not very pleasant in here.

"What they are saying now is we could be in her for days; it could take days for us to get out.

"We have had no fresh air, we are allowed in the corridor to get our food."

A Princess Cruises spokesperson said that guests were due to disembark on Monday, and that prior to that guests were receiving meals by room service and given additional TV and movie options, together with complimentary internet service.

They added that staff would never discriminate against any passengers and the crew was actively working around the clock to care for guests.

The latest figures released by Public Health England on Sunday showed there were six confirmed cases in Kent – including two in Medway which triggered a Chatham school to close for a deep clean this morning.

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