WASHINGTON, March 4 (BBC) - Passengers on board the Grand Princess cruise ship have been confined to their cabins after a former passenger died of the coronavirus in California, say local media outlets.

The San Francisco-based ship, which is reportedly carrying more than 3,000 people, is now being held off the coast of California.

The ship was meant to complete a round trip from San Francisco to Mexico, and had stopped in various ports including Hawaii.

Officials are due to begin testing passengers for the virus but it's not clear how long they might be quarantined for.

This is not the first time a cruise ship from Princess Cruises has been held in quarantine.

Earlier last month, hundreds of people on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship became infected with the virus.