Newcastle woman on board cruise ship tests positive for Covid-19 at private lab
The woman and her family are now waiting for the NICD to confirm the initial results, or to inform them if it is a false positive.
A Newcastle resident, who developed flu-like symptoms on board a cruise ship, has tested positive for Covid-19 (coronavirus) at a private laboratory.
The woman and her family are now waiting for the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) to either confirm the initial results or to inform them if it is a false positive.
In the meantime, the woman and her husband, who prefer not to be named, are self-isolating at home.
They have advised friends who accompanied them on a recent cruise to get tested and self-isolate as a precautionary measure.
14 Newcastle residents, who may have had contact with the possibly infected person, were tested for Covid-19 yesterday and are also self-isolating at home.
The woman began to feel ill while on a cruise with her husband last week, developing a sore throat and a slight cough, which she believed to be caused by the ship’s air-conditioning at first.
She reported her symptoms to her doctor upon returning to Newcastle and was subsequently tested for coronavirus.
Her husband, who tested negative for the virus, told the Newcastle Advertiser that his wife is recovering well.
“My wife seems to be fine and we are very grateful. I believe the Lord is looking after us. Since we found out that her test was positive, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing with friends calling to find out if we are okay and to ask if we need anything. It has been a truly amazing experience to find out how many people care,” he said.
A Newcastle businessman, who was part of the group that embarked on the cruise, said none of the other members of the group were showing any symptoms of Covid-19, but they had all been tested for peace of mind.
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“Aside from the odd scratchy throat, everyone seems to be just fine… But, you know, the moment they tell you that you may be at risk, you automatically start to feel like you have a scratchy throat so you don’t know if it’s psychosomatic or if it’s actually real,” he admitted.
The businessman described the process of getting tested as ‘simple and easy’.
“We spoke to the doctor who ordered the test on the initial patient and he suggested we contact the lab to arrange going in as a group. 15 minutes later, the lab contacted me and asked how many people needed to be tested and they made the necessary arrangements for us to be tested at the lab. It was a not a pleasant test, but it was quick and hassle free,” he said.
“We were advised to self-isolate until the results come back in three to seven days, and to practice good hygiene, use sanitiser, the usual. There is a shortage of masks so we are struggling to get masks now that we need them. This is just day one of self-isolation, and already the children are driving us insane,” he laughed.
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“So far everyone is still in high spirits. We have read up on coronavirus so we have the right information. Friends have been very supportive. They have been calling and offering to bring us anything we may need. We sanitise as often as possible and urge everyone to do the same. I know people laugh and think you are pathetic, but it is important to be cautious and responsible. If you are feeling sick, if you start showing flu like symptoms, rather just stay at home. If you have a sore throat, that is normal, but if you have a sore throat and a high fever, phone your doctor for advice. Don’t go in for a consultation, they will come to you.”
The businessman said the cruise ship co-ordinator would be advised to contact all the other passengers, if the woman’s second set of tests confirms a positive result.
“It is important not to create mass hysteria before we have all the facts,” he concluded.
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