Local couple test positve
Local couple test positive
A Warragul couple who tested positive to COVID-19 on the weekend say they are quarantined at home and feeling not too bad, with flu like symptoms. Terry Hennessy and Magret Rae have been in self isolation since returning from Turkey on Wednesday. They have had no contact in the Warragul community.
Terry has praised the West Gippsland Hospital staff for their professionalism and care during testing procedures. He said staff had shown great care and compassion to them.
by Yvette Brand
Hot cross buns and fresh fruit and vegetables dropped at their front door have helped keep up the spirits of a Warragul couple who tested positive to coronavirus on the weekend.
Terry Hennessy and Magret Rae have been in isolation since returning from Turkey on Wednesday. They will remain in quarantine after having test results confirmed for COVID-19 on Saturday.
They believe they are over the “worst” of their symptoms, saying they both experienced flu-like symptoms that peaked with temperature spikes and hot sweats.
Terry and Magret have praised staff at the West Gippsland Hospital for their professionalism and care and said hot cross buns, fresh fruit and vegetables and Panadol purchased by friends had helped keep their spirits high.
“I am feeling fine but Magret has had some tightness in her chest. It’s not unlike the flu when your whole body aches and you sweat,” Terry said yesterday.
Terry and Magret left Melbourne on March 10 bound for Dubai and then onto Turkey.
In Istanbul, they joined 18 Australians for a bus tour of Turkey.
Their trip had taken in the sights of Gallipoli, an overnight stay and free day in Canakkale and then back on the bus to travel to Kusadasi.
“It was the Sunday (March 15) that we began to feel a cough and sore throat,” he said.
At the hotel in Kusadasi, their tour company woke them at 4am to inform them the Australian government had ordered all Australians to come home.
An hour later, Terry and Magret, with a family of three from Geelong, were picked up by a bus and transferred to Izmir airport for an internal flight to meet their Emirates flight home to Melbourne.
They were the last Emirates flight out of Turkey.
Arriving in Melbourne at 12.30am on Wednesday, Magret’s daughter greeted them from a distance to hand them keys to a car home that was filled with vital supplies needed for isolation.
Once home, they slept. Terry said they could’ve slept for 24 hours they were so tired.
“We both had awful aches and pains and we were going through temperature spikes. We were getting really hot.
On Friday, Magret’s condition worsened and she suffered chest tightness.
They rang the coronavirus hotline and were directed to attend at the West Gippsland Hospital for testing.
“They attended to us in the car in a secure area by highly professional, caring staff.
“We were told if you hear from the Health Department it won’t be good, if you hear from us it will be good.
They received the dreaded call on Saturday, from the hospital emergency department. Their first thought was “good news.”
“They told us you’ve tested positive and we are here for you if you need anything. They had a very caring attitude and they were putting our health first, above everything else.
Terry and Magret rang the hospital on Saturday night when Magret had difficulty breathing.
They returned to hospital, again to the “secret spot” where staff dressed in full protective clothing tended to them.
Chest and lung functioning tests showed Magret’s airways were clear.
“They gave her the all clear and reassured her that if you look after yourself, you’ll be fine.
From their tour group, Terry said he was aware that a New South Wales man had tested positive.
He said an Adelaide couple, who sat near them on the bus, had not tested positive. He said while on the tour the couple had been diligent in washing hands and using sanitiser to wiping down surfaces.
For Terry and Magret it was six flights in six days. They suspect they caught the virus on the first flight to Dubai but that has not been confirmed.
Now, in quarantine, they are looking after themselves, staying positive and supporting each other.
Terry says they have had lots of wonderful friends dropping off food and supplies at their door.
“We’ve had lots of local people tell us if you need anything, let us know,” he said.
While they both still feel tired, Terry is hopeful they have seen a peak in their virus and they will begin to recover.
“It felt like the flu and now I feel we’ve come out the other side with a head cold,” he said.
Hospital responds
West Gippsland Healthcare Group chief executive officer Dan Weeks said patients needing to be tested for coronavirus are urged to ring ahead so they can be directed to a secure area.
Mr Weeks said anyone needing testing would be met by staff at their car where swab collection and screening was undertaken while in their vehicle.
“Staff are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. If the patient is well, they then return home to selfisolate and we let them know when the results are returned.
“If they are unwell, we ask them to wait in their car until we have an appropriate emergency department cubicle and then we go and get them, pop a mask on them, and bring them straight in, bypassing the waiting room,” Mr Weeks said.