Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CABIN FEVER
Couple’s thoughts and fears before and after being diagnosed with coronavirus in Japan
DRESSED in blue hospital gowns, David and Sally Abel manage to keep smiling even as they undergo treatment for coronavirus in Japan.
The married British pair caught it on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where 542 cases have been reported, on what should have been a trip of a lifetime.
David, 74, shared an update online yesterday, describing their trip to hospital and saying: “I nearly passed out.”
It came after the pair, from Daventry, Northants, were quarantined in their cabin for two weeks. They will not be on the government-chartered flight back to the UK today. This is the quarantine diary they have kept, detailing their frustrating and often worrying experience...
Wednesday January 29 – Risk
Virus is not an issue onboard. Every passenger’s temperature being regularly monitored.
Sally & I have NOT been to China but we have folk onboard who did enter China from Hong Kong, so there is an element of risk from unknown carriers. Other than the scare we’re enjoying every moment.
Saturday February 1 – Checks
We arrived in Okinawa, Japan, and are awaiting immigration clearance. They are insisting every passenger has a Japanese medical check.
Tour excursions cancelled. It is doubtful the entire ship will be cleared before we sail for Yokohama. Should we have to get clearance in Yokohama (instead of Okinawa), we shall miss the return flight to UK.
Sunday February 2 – Concern
Just learned 300 passengers boarded this ship in Hong Kong... many had been travelling through
China. How irresponsible is this?
Have attempted to check-in to our flight.
They refused to accept the check-in, requesting we arrive
at the airport and complete check-in there. Tuesday could be an interesting day!
Monday February 3 – Further checks
The Captain announced at midnight the Japanese medical team are attending every cabin through the night to ascertain health of passengers. We cancelled our flight to UK (in five hours). Not knowing where we shall be staying is a concern. We are on anchor in the bay. The coastguard is hovering a few feet [away].
Tuesday February 4 – In quarantine
Ten passengers tested positive. We are now in quarantine for 14 days in Japan!
Wednesday February 5 – Food and water shortage
First meal in 18 hours. Being
diabetic and dairy intolerant, there is nothing here I can eat. They have since brought me four bread rolls & butter.
It is going to be tough on rationed food, and with no alcohol!
No services onboard the ship now. How the crew are going to cope with this beats me.
We are out at sea now converting sea water into drinking water.
Thursday February 6 – Life in isolation
Passengers with inside cabins are now allowed to walk on the deck for 1.5 hours under supervision of the quarantine officers. They must stay one metre apart from one another.
Saturday February 8 – Staying happy
It is a beautiful morning. Life is good.
Wednesday February 12 – food
I am struggling. The ship are aware of my needs but since being in quarantine I’ve not received more than four meals I can eat. I am a diabetic, lactose intolerant & allergic to certain glutens. Most of the day I am not eating, just drinking lots of water. My stomach rumbles 24/7 and I am really hungry.
Saturday February 15 – Tests for coronavirus
We have both just been tested! Swab right down back of throat and I was gagging... 2-3 days for result.
Tuesday February 18 – Positive
We have been proved positive and leaving for hospital soon.
Later that day – Confusion
We are NOT being taken to a hospital but a hostel. I really am smelling a very big rat here! They do NOT send folk with the virus to a hostel!
Wednesday February 19 – Miscommunication
Massive communication error yesterday. The Japanese quarantine officials do not speak English. They told us to be ready to be taken to the hostel. My mindset was “virus” and said “positive then”. He nodded. I don’t think he was saying yes to the virus but positive we were moving out?? He said it will probably be 4 or 5 days. You would not say that to a virus victim.
Later that day - Preparing to leave for further quarantine
Two doctors came to our door. We are both positive. We’re going to a hostel because there isn’t a hospital bed. In 4/5 days we’ll be put into a hospital.
Thursday February 20 – taken to hospital
We arrived in lovely hospital a couple of hours ago. Taken by ambulance blues & twos. Outside the hospital I came over weird and nearly passed out. Every pore on my body opened and I was wheelchaired to our room.
Full health inspection and now we know what’s going on. We both contracted a cold (unaware of ) and it has not yet turned into pneumonia. (We do have corona virus).
Tomorrow the big tests commence. Chest x-rays, ECG, chest scan, urine and more... Thinking of all the Brits flying to UK tomorrow.
I nearly passed out and I was taken by wheelchair to our room
DAVID ABEL ON SCARE ON THE WAY TO HOSPITAL