Wollongong Hospital refused to test a former Ruby Princess passenger for COVID-19, even though one of her travelling companion's had tested positive for the virus, a special inquiry heard this week.
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William Wright told the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess on Monday that he and his wife had sought testing at the hospital's COVID assessment clinic three days after disembarking the ill-fated cruise in March.
However despite telling nursing staff that they'd both been in close contact with their friend, who'd tested positive, they agreed to test Mr Wright but not his wife.
"They said she didn't have any symptoms so they wouldn't test her," he said.
"... I mentioned that to them (their friend's confirmed case) and I was quite annoyed actually because my wife was booked in for breast surgery on the 3rd of April and I thought it would be the right thing to do," he said.
"... to be tested so we would know whether she was positive or not so she could have her operation."
Mr Wright's test came back positive for COVID-19, so his wife returned to Wollongong Hospital and was finally tested.
Even though she was asymptomatic at that stage, her test also came back positive. Her breast surgery was delayed for several weeks until she tested negative for the virus.
The Wrights were among a party of seven travelling together on the 11-night voyage, including Wollongong man Henry Karpik and his wife Sue.
Mr Wright said his friend Mr Karpik had fallen ill during the cruise, and had told him that he'd been diagnosed with influenza type A.
On the morning they were to disembark, on March 19, Mr Wright said he "woke up with a runny nose, and sneezing".
He told the inquiry that he had received a document, telling he and his wife to self-isolate for 14 days.
However the couple caught a mini-bus home with four of their travelling companions - including Mr Karpik who was wearing a mask. No-one else was offered a mask, Mr Wright said.
Mr Wright said Mrs Karpik later called his wife to tell them her husband had subsequently been diagnosed with COVID-19, prompting them to also seek testing.
He said while he and his wife recovered quickly from the virus, their friend Mr Karpik was gravely ill in Wollongong Hospital's intensive care unit for many weeks.
In May, after being a ventilator for five weeks, Mr Karpik was finally discharged from the hospital and is undergoing rehabilitation.
An Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District spokeswoman said it was not appropriate to comment given the ongoing investigation.
"A special commission of inquiry to investigate the events surrounding the Ruby Princess cruise ship is currently underway, being led by Bret Walker SC. Given this, it would not be appropriate for ISLHD to comment on the matter."
So far more than 35,000 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the ISLHD, with 122 confirmed cases though the majority have recovered.
Details on the inquiry can be found at www.rubyprincessinquiry.nsw.gov.au
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