An Olympia woman who was quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan over coronavirus concerns says she has tested positive for the virus.
Marianne Obenchain was flown back to the U.S. on Monday by chartered flights from the U.S. government after being quarantined on the ship since Feb. 4.
She arrived at a quarantine facility in California where she underwent testing for the virus. She was notified her results came back positive for coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, and transferred to a hospital in Napa.
“When I found out, I just thought back ‘well you know I haven’t shown any symptoms yet, so I’m still doing good,' so I’m not going to complain,” said Obenchain.
Obenchain, along with thousands of other passengers, were trapped on the U.S.-operated Diamond Princess for 12 days due to the virus. Passengers had to wear masks and stay in their rooms.
Dozens of people who were on the ship have tested positive for COVID-19.
"You get a little bit more perspective, that it's not all about you," said Obenchain from her hospital room in Napa on Wednesday. "There are other people affected, probably worse than I have been, but I can either be a victim or I can choose not to think that way and walk away from this victorious."
Obenchain said she's just happy she's back in the United States at all.
