Wife of first Australian coronavirus fatality pays tribute from her hospital bed
The wife of a Perth man who became the first Australian to die of coronavirus has paid tribute to her husband as she battles the same illness in hospital.
Only a few weeks ago, James Kwan was enjoying himself while holidaying with his wife onboard the Diamond Princess cruises in Japan.
The couple were two of thousands stranded on the ship after an outbreak of the virus.
They, along with 170 other Australians were evacuated to the Howard Springs facility near Darwin.
It was at the facility that Kwan tested positive for coronavirus.
He was taken to Perth to be treated but the 78-year-old’s health saw a rapid decline over the weekend, and he passed in the early hours of Sunday.
“My husband passed away peacefully knowing that his family loved him,” said Kwan’s wife in a statement.
The 79-year-old is currently isolated in hospital.
This is the first death in Australia from the virus as several others have tested positive around the country.