Coronavirus: Cruise ship couple David and Sally Abel test positive for virus

18 February 2020, 21:20 | Updated: 19 February 2020, 00:05

David Abel and his wife Sally, who have been quarantined on the cruise ship Diamond Princess, have tested positive for coronavirus.

David and Sally Abel who have been quarantined on the cruise ship had been posting regular updates via Facebook and had appeared in the media.

In a post on Tuesday, Mr Abel said: "There is going to be a time of quiet. We have been proved positive and leaving for hospital soon. Blessings all."

In a later update Mr Able added: "Frankly i think this is a setup! We are NOT being taken to a hospital but a hostel. That's where partners are sent waiting out there quarantine.

"No phone, no wi-fi and no medical facilities. I really am smelling a very big rat here! Waiting for the transfer now.."

Yesterday Mr Abel called for the Government to evacuate the British citizens on board and added: "It feels that we have been forgotten."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said it hopes an evacuation flight for Britons on the coronavirus-hit cruise liner the Diamond Princess will be "later this week".

A spokesman said: "We are planning an evacuation flight from Tokyo to the UK as soon as possible for Britons who are on the Diamond Princess. We hope the flight will be later this week, subject to permissions from the Japanese authorities.

"At 0700 local time on Wednesday, the Diamond Princess cruise operator and Japanese authorities allowed passengers to disembark from the cruise ship. However there is a chance that people who disembark will not be able to join the evacuation flight.

"We have the utmost concern for the affected Britons and strongly encourage them to register for the evacuation flight."

Earlier, a Number 10 spokesman said those on board the ship docked near Yokohama, Japan, were being contacted about the possibility of a repatriation flight.