Couple calls for testing regime change after double dose of coronavirus hell

The testing procedure for coronavirus-positive people coming out of isolation needs to change according to a couple who tested positive to the virus for a second time.

A COUPLE who were passengers on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship have revealed their horror ordeal of testing positive to the deadly virus then being cleared, only to be struck down again.

Jason Parsell and fiancee Danielle Hanson, of Blackmans Bay, say their experience with COVID-19 shows all positive cases should be retested to make certain the virus has left their system before they come out of isolation.

Under national guidelines, only those who work in health and aged care who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 are being tested to clear them of the disease.

Danielle Hanson and Jason Parsell.

Mr Parsell, Ms Hanson and their two children Grace, 3, and Dominic, 1, were among a group of Tasmanian travellers on the Voyager of the Seas cruise ship early last month.

The ship visited New Caledonia and Vanuatu before returning to Sydney. After the family returned home, Ms Hanson fell ill and was diagnosed with the virus on March 25.

Mr Parsell also tested positive despite being asymptomatic.

After Ms Hanson’s condition improved, she was told by health officials on April 3 her isolation was over.

But just over a week later, Ms Hanson again became unwell. She was tested for a second time on April 12 and the result again came back positive.

Mr Parsell was reclassed as a positive case as he was also showing a recurrence of symptoms.

Both children have been tested multiple times but are negative to COVID-19.

The Voyager of the Seas entering Sydney Harbour on April 4 for restocking and transferring of crew before departing for its home port due to COVID-19 rules. Picture: NSW Police

In the time between isolation ending and the second positive test, the couple had gone to the supermarket and pharmacy for essential reasons, not knowing they still had the virus.

They did not visit family or friends, nor has Ms Hanson returned to work, which is considered essential under current restrictions.

But they are racked with guilt, despite not committing any breach of the rules.

“I feel absolutely terrible,” Ms Hanson said.

“We don’t want to scare people, we want people to be aware there is a flaw in the system that needs to be addressed.

“We feel it can’t be heard in any other way and hopefully people will agree that the testing procedure needs to change before clearance.”

Ms Hanson said when her current isolation period ends, she will demand to be retested.

They have also contacted Health Minister Sarah Courtney’s office asking if the testing process will be changed.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said positive cases were isolated for at least 10 days after their symptoms have started and a further three days after they have ceased.

Dr Veitch said workers in health or aged care were required to have two clear tests for coronavirus at least 24 hours apart.

“There’s no requirement to test people who aren’t going into vulnerable occupations after they recover from their illness and this is based on national guidance and international practice,” Dr Veitch said.

A Public Health Services spokesman said testing could detect the virus for a time after people have recovered from the infection and are beyond the required isolation period.

He said such people were unlikely to pose an infectious risk, and that the greatest risk of spreading the virus occurred early in the illness when people have acute symptoms.

Ms Courtney said testing was based on national guidelines, which were reviewed regularly by experts.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

March 7 - Jason Parsell, Danielle Hanson and their two children Grace and Dominic depart Sydney on the Voyager of the Seas cruise ship.

March 18 - The family disembarks the ship in Sydney and returns to Tasmania.

March 22 - Ms Hanson starts showing symptoms of coronavirus.

March 24 - Ms Hanson is tested for COVID-19.

March 25 - She tests positive.

March 26 - Mr Parsell also tests positive despite being asymptomatic. The children test negative.

April 3 - Isolation period ends and the couple is cleared by health officials. The children go into 14-day isolation as a precaution due to being close contacts. The couple shop at supermarkets and pharmacies, unaware they still have the virus.

April 12 - Ms Hanson starts feeling unwell again and is tested for a second time, and again enters isolation.

April 13 - She finds out she has returned a second positive test.