Coronavirus crisis: Australia’s first coronavirus victim identified as Perth man James Kwan

The Perth man who died of coronavirus this morning has been revealed as James Kwan. Mr Kwan, 78, was the first Australian to succumb to the illness after he was repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise in Japan. His 79-year-old wife has also tested positive to the deadly disease and remains in isolation at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital but not in intensive care. Mr Kwan made a turn for the worst on Thursday evening, the first time he had tilted past a stable condition since he was first diagnosed at temporary quarantine centre Howard Springs near Darwin. He and his wife were part of the 164 Australians who were flown out of Japan from the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan since February 4, after 10 passengers tested positive to the coronavirus. They had been flown to in isolation at Howard Springs near Darwin while they awaited their test results, with the man testing positive while his wife initially returning a negative result. On February 21, the Royal Flying Doctors Service took the pair to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, which is equipped with four negative pressure rooms used to treat coronavirus patients. In a short statement this afternoon, the victim’s wife shared some insight into her husband’s final moments. “My husband passed away peacefully knowing that his family loved him,” the statement read. Mr Kwan was a retired travel agent who was onboard the ship with his wife Thersea, son Edwin and his daughter-in-law, according to The Australian. He has been remembered as a pioneer in the WA tourism industry by opening up Asian markets to the State through founding Wel-Travel in 1988, before handing it over in recent years to his son to continue the family business. Mr Kwan also had a passion for golf and was a local at The Vines golf club in Perth’s Swan Valley. Several members paid tribute to their fellow golfer on Sunday. “Vale James Kwan. Sadly overnight James passed away. He was diagnosed with the Coronavirus. James will be dearly missed around the club. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Theresa who is currently in hospital with the virus,” a member posted on a club Facebook page. “Thank you James for your generosity over many years especially with the Asian Connection Days. Fond memories. Keep swinging.” Keith Clubley wrote of his sadness hearing the news on Sunday morning. “Woke up this morning to some very sad news indeed. Our dear friend James had passed away. You will be sadly missed. Pleased we caught up this time last year. Condolences to Theresa and family. True friend and gentleman.” Fellow member John Messenger said James’ passing was “such a sad loss”. “Fond memories of Twilight golf days. Always a gentleman in my many dealings with you and Theresa during my time as club manager,” he said. Chief Health Officer at WA’s Health Department Dr Andrew Robertson said the man was in a “negative pressure room” in intensive care and they were confident the protection measures had been followed. The couple were among 3700 people on the cruise ship, including the 164 who were repatriated to Australia. Their Australian cohort of cruise ship passengers remain in isolation in the Northern Territory, and are nearing the end of their two-week quarantine period. A 24-year-old woman from South Australia also tested positive for coronavirus when the group arrived, however, was transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital. On February 20, it was revealed that two Japanese passengers who contracted the coronavirus on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship died. Both of the deceased reportedly had pre-existing health conditions.

WA man becomes first Australian to die from coronavirus

Coronavirus crisis: Australia’s first coronavirus victim identified as Perth man James Kwan

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WA man becomes first Australian to die from coronavirus

Coronavirus crisis: Australia’s first coronavirus victim identified as Perth man James Kwan

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