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One ship, 705 coronavirus cases: How dream cruise on Diamond Princess became a nightmare

Health officials leave Diamond Princess - Getty
Health officials leave Diamond Princess - Getty

When passengers boarded Diamond Princess in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on January 20, they were looking forward to a two-week dream cruise to China, Vietnam, Taiwan and back to Japan. The ship is described as a “treasure trove of exceptional delights waiting to be discovered”.

Guests were invited to “dine on freshly prepared sashimi in Kai Sushi, watch street performers in the dazzling atrium, or take in a lavish production show in our state-of-the-art theatre. And for a unique treat visit the Izumi Japanese Bath, the largest of its kind at sea.” The ship is “truly your home away from home”, according to Princess.

But as the cruise is nearing its end, an 80-year-old guest who disembarked in Hong Kong on January 25 tests positive for coronavirus on February 1. Diamond Princess, carrying 2,666 guests – half of them from Japan – and 1,045 crew, returned to Yokohama a day early, on February 3.

Here’s what happened next:

Day 1: Tuesday February 4

The next eight-day sailing of Diamond Princess is cancelled after Japanese health inspectors ask for 24 hours to check all guests and crew.

Kai Sushi on board Diamond Princess - Princess Cruises
Kai Sushi on board Diamond Princess - Princess Cruises

Passenger David Abel and his wife Sally, from Daventry, Northamptonshire, are among 78 Britons on board. In their balcony cabin on deck nine, they hear at midnight that health checks are due to begin so stay up all night – but are not visited until 10am, and then only to be asked three short questions.

Tests come back positive on 10 people, including a crewmember. As they are taken ashore to hospital, the ship is put under quarantine for 14 days. Food and other supplies are brought on board and passengers are given complimentary internet and phone use. The next sailing on February 12 is also cancelled.

Coronavirus cases on Diamond Princess
Coronavirus cases on Diamond Princess

Day 2: Wednesday February 5

Mr Abel goes on Facebook at 11am local time to say he’s an insulin dependent diabetic who hasn’t eaten since 7pm the previous night so risks going into a coma. Food eventually arrives 18 hours after his last meal – but he cannot eat it because he is dairy intolerant. The crew later bring him bread rolls.

Ten more guests test positive. The ship heads out to sea so it can make more fresh water but Mr Abel says the ocean is choppy. “You’d pay money if you went to Disney for this,” he jokes.

Passengers on Diamond Princess wave to one another from their balconies - Getty
Passengers on Diamond Princess wave to one another from their balconies - Getty

Day 3: Thursday February 6

There are 41 new cases, including the first Briton – honeymooner Alan Steele, from Shropshire. Quarantine will end on February 19 unless there are “unforeseen developments”, World Health Organisation says. Guests are given thermometers and told to monitor their temperatures.

Princess offers guests eight new satellite TV channels, more than 80 videos on demand, newspapers in 36 languages, trivia quizzes, games and and children’s activity packs. Passengers in inside cabins are given outdoor time.

Mr Abel tells ITV news: “Everybody is confined to their cabins. There is a lot more anxiety. What's going to happen to us? We've got access to the balcony all the time, but there are passengers in inside cabins where they've got no natural light, no windows, no fresh air. They are being allowed out on deck for a period of time under the supervision of quarantine officers. They must stay one metre apart and not congregate in groups.”

Day 4: Friday February 7

American honeymooners Milena Basso and Gaetano Cerullo send a plea for help via CNN. “We should be quarantined in a sanitary environment that’s safe, not on a cruise ship that’s already infected,” says Ms Basso. “Donald Trump, save us. Get us a government-based airplane. Get us off the ship.”

However, fellow US passenger Matthew Smith disagrees. “You might have to drag me off the ship when the quarantine ends,” he tweets. To pass the time, he starts tweeting light-hearted daily updates, with pictures, of the food service, and says his only plea is for more coffee.

Izumi Spa on board Diamond Princess - Princess Cruises
Izumi Spa on board Diamond Princess - Princess Cruises

Alan Steele’s wife Wendy Marshall Steele says she’s “counting down the days until I can laugh about stupid things with my husband again”.

Two more passengers test positive for coronavirus.

Day 5: Saturday February 8

Six more cases are confirmed. Remaining passengers are given phone numbers to talk to counsellors about their mental stress.

Jan Swartz, the president of Princess Cruises, says: “Our guests and crew on board Diamond Princess are the focus of our entire global organisation right now and all of our hearts are with each of them.” She announces that 2,000 repeat prescriptions are being organised for the guests.

Mr Steele, the Briton taken to hospital, is in good spirits, according to wife Wendy, but she has “cabin fever”. “It was a hard first night without Alan. But hey, we are constantly in touch.”

The ship sails out of Tokyo Bay again for routine operations. Mr Abel reports: “The sun is out and it is a beautiful morning. Life is good.”

Diamond Princess at sea during quarantine - Getty
Diamond Princess at sea during quarantine - Getty

Day 6: Sunday February 9

Princess Cruises announces that all guests will get a full refund of the fare plus flights, hotel stays, gratuities and other costs. They will also not be charged for any onboard expenses.

The ship returns to Yokohama after a choppy night at sea. Mr Abel, who has been pining for Talisker whisky, is delivered a bottle to his room with a message from Jan Swartz of Princess Cruises saying: “We want to thank you for helping keep spirits high on board and we hope you enjoy these spirits as a gesture of our appreciation.”

Day 7: Monday February 10

Another 66 cases of coronavirus are confirmed on board, including one more Briton, bringing the total to 135. Indian crew post a video on Facebook begging their government to rescue them. One of them, Binay Kumar Sarkar, says they are scared. “Those who are healthy should be allowed to disembark before they, too, contract the coronavirus,” he says. He tells the Washington Post that he fears "very soon we will all be infected.”

Day 8: Tuesday February 11

Mr Abel celebrates having just eight days to go until passengers leave the ship. He says fellow Briton Alan Steele is showing no symptoms in hospital and is due to be released on Friday. Mr Steele’s wife Wendy is marking her birthday on board alone. But, despite everything, Mr Abel says on Facebook that the whole experience “hasn’t put us off cruising”.

Coronavirus live map
Coronavirus live map

Day 9: Wednesday February 12

The Japanese Ministry of Health confirms 39 new cases from Diamond Princess. A quarantine official, who was wearing a mask and gloves while collecting questionnaires from passengers, has also tested positive for the virus, says health minister Katsunobu Kato.

Four patients in hospital from the ship are in a “severe” condition with two in intensive care and the others being given assistance to breathe.

In a video, Princess Cruises’ executive vice-president Rai Caluori confirms the 2,000 prescription medicines have been distributed to passengers. Health authorities have stated that air conditioning on the ship is not a problem though, “in an abundance of caution”, the amount of fresh air going through the system is being maximised, he adds.

In a live interview with Sky News, British passenger Sally Abel says they are being treated very well but the final week of quarantine “seems an eternity to go”.

Her husband David reports that 55 doctors, 45 nurses and 30 pharmacists have been brought on board but the mood generally is more sombre, with one elderly woman keeping others awake crying for “a couple of hours” in her cabin during the night. Mr Abel admits: “Life isn’t as easy as it was last week. It’s a bit more challenging.”

However, Alan Steele – one of now three Britons who have been taken to hospital – posts from his bed that he has “just received great news”. He adds: “My test showed negative to the virus and I have now been swabbed for a second test. If that comes back negative I get released.”

Workers in protective clothing load Amazon parcels on to Diamond Princess - Getty
Workers in protective clothing load Amazon parcels on to Diamond Princess - Getty

The crew of Diamond Princess receive a letter from Jan Swartz of Princess Cruises offering them two months of paid time off “for some much-needed rest” when they are able to leave the ship. Flights will also be provided and jobs safeguarded so they can return to another contract. “We are deeply grateful and incredibly proud of all of you,” says Ms Swartz.

However, on board, 24-year-old security team member Sonali Thakkar, from Mumbai, fears the virus may be spreading around the staff – at least five of whom have tested positive –because they live, work and eat in close proximity.

She tells CNN: “We want every crew member to be tested and separated from the rest of the people who are infected. Because we don't know who is carrying the virus or how fast it is spreading.”

Shortly before midnight, “Diamond Dave” Abel, who is diabetic, lactose intolerant and allergic to certain glutens, tells Facebook followers that he’s not had more than three or four meals he can eat since being in quarantine. He adds: “My stomach rumbles 24/7 and I am really hungry.”

In a public note to the galley, he says: “Please may I have every morning a BIG bowl of cornflakes with lactose-free milk. That’s all I want, every day please.”

Day 10: Thursday February 13

Another 44 people on the ship have tested positive, including one crew member, bringing the total so far to 218. Most of the new cases are among passengers aged 70 or over.

Four in five out of the holidaymakers who boarded were over 60, with 215 in their 80s and 11 in their 90s, local reports say.

Health minister Katsunobu Kato announces that passengers with pre-existing conditions, the elderly and those in windowless rooms will be allowed to leave Diamond Princess as early as Friday if they test negative for coronavirus, but will be taken to government-provided lodgings to continue their quarantine.

Around 200 people are currently being tested, with priority given to those with chronic health problems or passengers in inside or oceanview cabins. In a statement, Princess Cruises says the land-based quarantine accommodation will have individual rooms and bathrooms. Prescription medication will be provided but no Western meals will be available. Instead, food will be served in bento-style boxes.

It stresses that passengers are welcome to remain on board until quarantine is due to end next Wednesday.

In stateroom D624, Mr Abel’s wish from last night is granted. At 6.15am he receives the cereal he wanted with lactose-free milk. “Here is what I have been so looking forward to. Thank y’all and thanks Princess top brass,” he writes.

In a live Facebook message later he admits: “That breakfast has made me feel a lot better.”

In hospital, British honeymooner Alan Steele says his first test for coronavirus was actually positive and he misunderstood because of the language barrier. A second test proved negative and a third has now been taken. If that, too, is negative he will be free to leave hospital.

Older passengers who tested negative for coronavirus are moved off the quarantined Diamond Princess and into government-designated lodging - Getty
Older passengers who tested negative for coronavirus are moved off the quarantined Diamond Princess and into government-designated lodging - Getty

Grant Tarling, the chief medical officer of Princess, says the “best minds” are collaborating on the situation on the ship. “Please expect information to change from day to day as the world’s medical and public health experts learn more from developments on board Diamond Princess and other cases around the world,” he says.

In another video, cruise director Natalie Costa says the crew are “all hanging in there and keeping together as a big family”.

Day 11: Friday February 14

As Valentine’s Day dawns, some passengers leave notes adorned with hearts to their room service teams. “You are all our Valentines” says one from a couple called Mary and Peter. Guests are also offered themed food in their rooms.

In an emotional broadcast, David Abel appeals to Richard Branson to fly the British passengers home on a private plane to Brize Norton so they can continue their quarantine in the UK. The “staunch Tory” says he has no confidence in Boris Johnson to help them.

Mr Abel also reveals that fellow Briton Alan Steele is now refusing to see doctors in hospital because he has lost “all faith” in the tests they are carrying out, which are coming back with conflicting results. “He is really on a downer,” says Mr Abel. “He just wants to get out and get home and get it sorted in the UK.”

Mr Abel reports that, as expected, passengers who have tested negative for coronavirus are being taken off the ship in ambulances – he estimates 44 have left so far today.

Diamond Princess in quarantine - Getty
Diamond Princess in quarantine - Getty

Day 12: Saturday February 15

Another 67 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed on Diamond Princess, Japan's health ministry says. This brings the number of passengers and crew who have tested positive on the ship to 285.

The US will send a plane to evacuate hundreds of Americans from Diamond Princess on Sunday, the New York Times reports. A letter from the US embassy in Tokyo tells passengers: "We recognize this has been a stressful experience, and we remain dedicated to providing all the support we can and seeing you safely and expeditiously reunited with family and friends in the United States."

Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz issues a new video statement saying passenger quarantine could extend beyond the original date of Wednesday, February 19. Japanese health officials are doing some new tests on Tuesday and results will take at least three days to come back.

Passengers with negative results may be allowed to leave the ship and those who test positive will be taken to hospital. Cabin mates of someone who tests positive might have to restart their 14 days of quarantine from the date of their last contact.

The crew may now have to begin their quarantine after all guests have left the ship.

Coronavirus: | the key questions scientists are scrambling to answer
Coronavirus: | the key questions scientists are scrambling to answer

Day 13: Sunday February 16

Seventy more cases on Diamond Princess bring the total to 355. Sailings of the ship until April 20 are cancelled due to “the prolonged quarantine period and the anticipated time to prepare the ship to return”, says Princess Cruises.

On board, David Abel pleads for help from the British Government after the US, Canada and Hong Kong announce they are moving their citizens off the ship.

Mr Abel says he feels "completely overlooked, neglected and forgotten" and has “never felt less loved by my own country than right now”.

“If feels like we have been forgotten, that you don’t really care about us and that you don’t really want us to come home.”

However, some American passengers are angry that the evacuation plans involve another 14 days of quarantine once they return to the US.

Anyone who chooses not to take the US flight will have to wait another fortnight in Japan to ensure they are symptom-free before going home.

“From tragedy to comedy to farce,” tweets American passenger Matthew Smith. “The US government wants to take us off without testing, fly us back to the US with a bunch of other untested people and then stick us in two more weeks of quarantine? How does that make any sense at all?"

Canada also announces it will also send a plane to evacuate its 225 citizens on the ship and Hong Kong is flying home 300 passengers. But, like the American mission, passengers of both countries will be put into a new 14-day quarantine when they return.

On Twitter, Richard Branson acknowledges David Abel’s plea to him to help bring Britons home, saying: “Virgin Atlantic does not fly to Japan, but we are in discussions with the UK government and seeing if there is anything we can do to help.”

Passengers in quarantine on Diamond Princess - Getty
Passengers in quarantine on Diamond Princess - Getty

Day 14: Monday February 17

Two chartered planes carrying 340 Diamond Princess passengers land at US Air Force bases in California and Texas – but 46 infected Americans remain behind in Japan.

The latest country to say it will repatriate its residents is Australia, which has 200 guests on board.

In London, the government announces it is “considering all options” to help Britons on the ship, including flying them home. A Number 10 spokesman says: “We sympathise with all those caught up in this extremely difficult situation.

The Foreign Office is in contact with all British people on the Diamond Princess, including to establish interest in a possible repatriation flight."

The development comes as Japanese officials confirm 99 new cases of coronavirus on board the ship, bringing the total to 454.

David Abel says he and his wife Sally have been tested and are awaiting results. “It’s all getting to us now - not just me, other passengers as well. It’s the not-knowing factor that is the real challenge,” he confides in a YouTube video.

Fellow Briton Alan Steele, who is still in hospital, says one of the things going through his mind is “how brilliant and great the crew and staff of the Diamond have been”.

“I needed to say on behalf of myself and my wife – and, I think, on behalf of the rest of the passengers – bloody well done, you are great ambassadors for your company and thank you very much.”

Diamond Princess in quarantine - Getty
Diamond Princess in quarantine - Getty

Day 15: Tuesday February 18

The day before quarantine on the ship was originally due to end for passengers, Japan announces that all guests should be disembarked by Friday.

David Abel reveals that he and Sally have tested positive for coronavirus. He writes on Facebook: “We are leaving for hospital soon.”

However, he later adds: “Frankly I think this is a set-up! We are NOT being taken to a hospital but a hostel. That’s where partners are sent waiting out their quarantine. No phone, no wi-fi and no medical facilities. I really am smelling a very big rat here!”

Asked by a follower if he is sure of the diagnosis, he replies: “I doubt it was positive. If it was, we would be in hospital.”

The British Foreign Office says it is “working to organise a flight back to the UK for British nationals on the Diamond Princess as soon as possible”.

“Our staff are contacting British nationals on board to make the necessary arrangements. We urge all those who have not yet responded to get in touch immediately.”

Responding to news that 14 of the Americans flown home from the ship tested positive for coronavirus, US passenger Matthew Smith says his decision to stay on board keeps looking “better and better”.

Princess Cruises announces it has partnered with World Central Kitchen, a non-profit group that “uses the power of food to heal and strengthen communities in times of crisis” to help provide meals for passengers and crew.

Another 88 cases are reported on the ship, bringing the total to 542.

Briton Alan Steele, who's been in a Japanese hospital since being taken off Diamond Princess with suspected coronavirus, says on Facebook: "Well, have just had great news. I get out of this prison cell tomorrow whoooopey."

Passengers leave Diamond Princess after quarantine - Getty
Passengers leave Diamond Princess after quarantine - Getty

Day 16: Wednesday, February 19

As quarantine on the ship officially ends, passengers who have tested negative for coronavirus begin leaving Diamond Princess, with one exclaiming: “Hello, world!”.

About 500 guests – half of them Japanese – are expected to disembark today as chartered flights arrive from Canada, Australia and Hong Kong to pick up their citizens, with everyone due off the ship by Friday. However, those returning to their home countries face another spell in quarantine. And more than 100 Americans who chose to remain on board have been told they cannot return home for at least two weeks after they come ashore.

The Foreign Office in London says it is organising a flight to pick up British guests “as soon as possible”.

David Abel goes on YouTube to say he and wife Sally are still on board. They have indeed tested positive but will be taken first to a hostel for four or five days because there are no free hospital beds. They will then be taken to a medical centre for treatment.

In response to cynics saying he’s an actor, Mr Abel reveals he was an extra in two episodes of Downton Abbey. As a wedding celebrant, he likes to mix with wealthy actors who could become clients, he adds.

He attacks people who have criticised him, or who have doubted if his recent updates have been genuine. “The really brilliant thing is all the publicity that led to that flight [home to the UK] taking place. I have done my job helping the Brits that are out here.”

In what he says will be his final live dispatch, he warmly thanks the “99.99 per cent of people” who have supported him, ending: “Bye bye for now.”

Fellow Briton Alan Steele, who was taken to hospital from the ship but since tested negative, has been released and enjoyed a Big Mac. He’s looking forward to being reunited with his wife Wendy.

Diamond Princess at sea - Princess Cruises
Diamond Princess at sea - Princess Cruises

Even as passengers are disembarking, Japanese officials announce another 79 cases of the virus on the ship, bringing the total to 621.

Princess Cruises releases a rousing video thanking the crew on Diamond Princess for their hard work and urging them to “hang in there”.

Day 17: Thursday, February 20

Another 13 passengers have tested positive, bringing the total number of infections to 634.

Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, greets passengers as they leave the ship. Among those disembarking is the American, Matthew Smith, who has been tweeting pictures of the food throughout the entire quarantine. As he steps ashore, he writes: “Welcome to solid ground! (After nearly three weeks)."

Britons on board the ship who have tested negative for coronavirus will be flown home tomorrow, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announces. They will be quarantined on their return at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral.

David Abel posts pictures of himself and wife Sally in hospital. He adds: “We are both in the best place! They do know what they are doing and our two nurses are gorgeous. Sally likes the doctor too.”

Two Japanese passengers who were taken off the ship with coronavirus have died, reports say. They were in the 80s and had underlying health conditions.

Day 18: Friday, February 21

The flight to bring British passengers back from Diamond Princess has been delayed by a day and will now leave tomorrow, the British embassy says.

Alan Steele reports his wife Wendy, still on board the ship, has tested negative and jokes: “Butlin’s, the Wirral, here we come for 14 days.”

She replies: “Be positive and upbeat ..We have never been to the Wirral ...one off the bucket list LMAO xxx”.

Day 22: Tuesday, February 25

Cases of coronavirus from the ship increase to 691 and a fourth person has died.

From hospital in Japan, David Abel says: “Sally is virtually over her pneumonia and I want to believe that mine is well and truly on the way out.“They’re taking very good care of us. We’ve got memories from the fabulous cruise and we’ve got a real hope of seeing our friends and family back in the UK in the not-too-distant future, and that’s what is keeping us going.”

Day 23: Wednesday, February 26

The number of confirmed cases from the ship rises to 705.

Day 24: Thursday, February 27

Five weeks after they boarded the ship, the remaining passengers have all left, Princess Cruises announces. About 240 crew who tested negative have also disembarked. It will take several days to get hundreds more off the ship.

Day 25: Friday, February 28

Japan's Health Ministry says a British man who was on board Diamond Princess has now died from Covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.

Day 27: Sunday, March 1

Captain Gennaro Arma is the last person to leave Diamond Princess, pictured in uniform wearing a face mask as he wheels his suitcase away from the ship. Princess Cruises says: “He is a hero in our eyes. We thank him and our exceptional onboard team.”