Melbourne woman onboard Diamond Princess cruise diagnosed with coronavirus
A young Melbourne woman who was aboard the luxury Diamond Princesscruise ship that is being held in Japan has told how a family holiday turned into a nightmare after she was diagnosed with coronavirus.
VIC News
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A young Melbourne woman has told how her family cruise holiday has turned into a nightmare after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
Bianca D’Silva, 20, was aboard the Diamond Princesswith her parents and 14-year-old brother off Japan when she fell ill.
The law student, speaking from the Japanese hospital where she is in isolation with her Sydenham family, last night told the Herald Sun: “It was a bit of a shock”.
“You never think this is going to happen to you,’’ she said.
“It’s a bit of a struggle but what can I do.
“Physically I am fine — it was just like I have the cold.
“Now I just have to wait for it to clear.”
Mum Suzanne, also in isolation with Bianca’s dad Dellone and brother Brenton awaiting tests, said they were expected to be in lockdown for up to 12 days.
She said they had not heard from Australian authorities.
“We just have to hold out and hope for the best,’’ she said.
“At least we are off the ship.
“It’s just a really unfortunate situation.
“It’s not anyone’s fault.
“We can’t come home until it’s all clear. It’s just a never-ending wait.”
Grandfather Peter Vieyra told the Herald Sun: “We are feeling very devastated and terribly sad also’’.
“They are all traumatised and mentally and physically exhausted,’’ he said.
“It’s a very bad situation and I can’t explain exactly what they are feeling and what we are feeling.”
Mr Vieyra, who will mark her 21st birthday on Saturday, developed a slight fever on board the Diamond Princess.
She was admitted to hospital on Tuesday night having had a temperature of 37.6C and suffered headaches.
“They came and they said she had tested positive,’’ Mr Vieyra said.
“It’s a very bad situation.
“The thing is that they are in these little cabins.
“And unfortunately there are so many Australians there.”
Grandmother Ann Vieyra said she just wanted the family back on Australian soil, no matter where it was.
“It’s very bad,’’ she said.
“We are just wondering what to do and what not to do.
“My granddaughter has been crying — she just wants to come home.
“They went on this holiday so healthy and having such a beautiful time.
“Now they are all sick.”
A further 39 passengers aboard the Diamond Princess on Wednesday tested positive to coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases on the ship to 174.
This included at least 11 Australians.
Malvern retirees Adina and Les Morris, also on the ship, late on Wednesday counted 22 ambulances lined up at the port in Yokohama.
“We are worried — it’s nerve-racking,’’ Mrs Morris, 74, said.
The cruise ship is subject to a two-week quarantine order from the Japanese government that started last Wednesday when people on board began falling ill.
The ship’s 3700 passengers and crew are expected to remain under quarantine until at least February 19.
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The ship is docked at Yokohama, near Tokyo, but makes regular trips out to sea for water and ballast operations.
In Australia, 10 people are being treated for coronavirus, with five making a full recovery. Of the 15, five were in Queensland, four in NSW, four in Victoria and two in South Australia.
Another 540 Australians flown in from Wuhan are still in quarantine in Darwin and on Christmas Island.
— With AAP
Originally published as Melbourne woman onboard Diamond Princess cruise diagnosed with coronavirus