Cruise ship passenger's agonising recovery from COVID-19
The family of a Ruby Princess passenger and COVID-19 patient have spoke about their agony watching their loved one's long road to recovery.
Adelaide man Paul Faraguna was the first COVID-19 patient to enter the Royal Adelaide Hospital – and the last, so far, to be discharged into a ward.
Paul, his wife Robyn, and two friends contracted the illness.
South Australian Paul Faraguna has recovered from the coronavirus. 9News
But as the other three recovered, Paul, 68, was placed into an induced coma, and on a ventilator.
For five weeks his family waited for positive news, while 21 other Ruby Princess passengers lost their battle.
But to underscore the severity of this illness, Paul's recovery doesn't mean he's back to normal.
Mr Faraguna was a passenger on the Ruby Princess. 9News
"He still has a long road of recovery and rehabilitation ahead of him," Robyn said.
"The journey's not over by any means.
"He just wants to come home."
A special commission of inquiry hearing into the Ruby Princess cruise ship which docked at Circular Quay on March 19 is currently underway
A separate Senate inquiry into the Ruby Princess began on Tuesday in Canberra while a NSW Police criminal probe is also underway.
The Ruby Princess departs Port Kembla. AAP
The Ruby Princess on Tuesday was off the east coast of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao en-route to Manila.
A Princess Cruises spokesman said it's expected to arrive in Manilla on Thursday and "a determination will then be made for the repatriation of Filipino crew in consultation with authorities in the Philippines".
The ship departed Port Kembla in Wollongong almost a fortnight ago.
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