LONDON (UK) – Residents of Britain’s care homes shared their first precious hugs and kisses with relatives since March on Wednesday. People witnessed these heartwarming moments after homes were successful to give visitors rapid COVID tests, with results in 30 minutes.
Bob Underhill, an 84-year-old retiree, was reunited with his wife Patricia, 82, who has Alzheimer’s. They met, then hugged and kissed through their face masks.
Underhill said, “I’ve only seen her twice since March because they had a shutdown here, and we just had to sit and wait.”
“I did come and see her last Friday through the partitions, which is not very pleasant; it is not the same being three metres apart.”
Patricia moved into a home in London in March after her hip was broken, indicating Bob could no longer care for her.
COVID-19 spread rapidly through British care homes at the start of the pandemic.
This led to homes subjected to strict lockdown and visits being limited to protect frail and elderly residents.
Some 17,319 people have died of COVID-19 in care homes in Britain up to the week ending Nov. 20, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). However, the figure cannot be attributed to residents who were moved to hospitals before dying.
Serena Snelling took a test before seeing her mother Theresa, who has been in a home since late February.
“It’s been really challenging not being able to see her. I was her primary carer… so we were very close,” said Snelling.
They embraced and held each other tightly for a long time.
“It feels great,” said Theresa.
“We love each other very much. It feels really good and it feels like a long time coming,” said Serena.