Eight Canadians are now confirmed to have contracted the novel coronavirus aboard a Princess Cruises ship currently quarantined in a Japanese harbour.

Officials for the cruise-line announced this morning that 66 new cases have been confirmed in addition to the 70 already diagnosed and that one of the new cases is a Canadian.

The newly infected passengers are reportedly undergoing the Japanese Ministry of Health's disembarkation protocols ahead of being taken to hospital.

At home, seven cases of Canadians infected by the potentially deadly bug have been identified.

While China has suffered 908 deaths so far, there have been no Canadians deaths.