A Welshman who has been stuck in Italy for nearly two months because he keeps testing positive for coronavirus has just tested positive for the seventh time.
Rhys James, a 23-year-old from Pembroke Dock, and his friends Quinn Paczesny, 20, and Will Castle, 22, were teaching English in Florence before they tested positive for coronavirus on August 17.
They were then escorted from the hospital to a coronavirus quarantine centre where they've been separated and remained ever since.
Their most recent coronavirus test on Monday revealed that the trio each tested positive for the virus for the seventh time, despite having no symptoms since mid-August.
Mr James said they had been told by doctors that they are unlikely to be infectious at this point and that the tests might be picking up an inactive version of the virus. In order to leave, they would each need two negative test results.
He said the situation is taking a huge toll on their wellbeing and that he has been left "totally confused" as to why the government can't do more to get them home.
"The World Health Organisation guidelines say after 10 days of self-isolation, we can leave. We know the UK agrees with this yet Italy doesn’t," said Mr James.
"We don’t understand why the embassy and foreign office can’t do more to get us home when they believe that we are no longer contagious. My MP has not responded to me and the others’ MPs say that they can’t do much."
The trio have been in regular contact with the UK embassy in Milan, but were told that the embassy can't interfere with Italian medical rules, explained Mr James.
"So what can the UK government do? If the embassy 'can’t interfere with medical decisions abroad' then surely they can help us with this legal problem - the problem being that we cannot leave without a double negative test result and need legal intervention to get out."
Mr James' MP, Simon Hart, and the Foreign Office say they continue to assist the men.
Mr James said he has little faith in the testing system at their coronavirus facility. They were told it had broken on Monday, delaying his test results until Thursday.
"Doctors told us the machine had broken. They said it had been overwhelmed over the week and had lots of problems. It doesn't give us much hope to be honest, we're wondering if it's even valid," he said.
"Will and Quinn got theirs back on Wednesday. We all want negative results but we are worried we will test negative at different times. I'm relieved I have the same result as the other two, but gutted we all still tested positive."
Mr James said they are currently trying to source private coronavirus tests, to see if they would show a negative result. However, sourcing private tests while staying at the public coronavirus facility is proving difficult.
"We know of one brit who was in a similar situation to us. He kept testing positive for coronavirus in public facilities in Italy until he managed to get a private test. He then tested negative twice and could fly back to London.
"We were told by one doctor that if we could do a private test and it came back negative, we might be able to leave. This is the same doctor who told us we are unlikely to still be contageous.
"We are trying to apply for private tests, but we need help from the embassy to get them. One problem is that doctors from outside the facility cannot enter to take the private tests. If we get them delivered, there's also the problem of sending them out of the facility. It seems unlikely that our facility will be able to post them.
"This is why we need the embassy to help us. We keep being told that they can't assist with medical matters, only legal ones. But this is not just a medical matter at this point."
The three men are still living in separate rooms at the facility and said that as time goes on, they are getting more distressed.
"It is some comfort knowing we are in the same building, but it's starting to feel quite draining mentally and physically. We are getting more stressed and irritable as time goes on," said Mr James.
"We are really seeing the link between mental and physical health - we have all lost weight. We are losing the motivation to stay in shape, but are trying to snap out of it.
"We are still calling each other every day when we have lunch and dinner, which has helped give us some sort of routine. Other than that we have no routine. Doctors and cleaners come in and out at random times and sometimes our food can be two hours late without explanation. One evening I was only given a portion of potatoes."
Mr James explained that going into autumn the rooms are getting cold, which is a problem since the trio packed for the hot summer months before they left the UK.
He added that the air conditioning in his room is broken, meaning it is full of dust and moisture.
The uncertainty of the situation has meant the men have all had to put their lives on hold.
"Will and I have been trying to apply for jobs in the UK. If we do get out, it is likely that we' could be going home into a lockdown, but at least we would be able to work from home. However, we can't agree on start dates with employers because we don't know when we will be back and we've both had rejections," said Mr James.
"Quinn would have started at university in Lincoln this Monday and have managed to send him course work in the post. He was going to have his laptop delivered but he didn’t as it would cost £110 just to fly it out so he’s doing all his work on an iPhone."
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “FCDO Consulate staff are supporting three British men in quarantine in Italy and are in regular contact with them.
“The length of quarantine is based on local measures to control the spread of Covid-19, but we have raised concerns about their food, rooms and medical issues directly with the Italian authorities, and will continue to do all we can to help them while complying with local requirements.”
Mr Hart MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire said: “My office has been in touch a number of times with Rhys directly in Italy and has also spoken to his friend in London and his family in Pembroke Dock. We contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on September 16 to lobby for better conditions including food and have been told that they are receiving consular assistance.
"The trio are free to leave the hotel as long as they provide an Italian address so we are asking the FCO if they can help in providing alternate accommodation and with getting a private Covid test done.”
