A COUPLE who have been together for over 70 years have been reunited for the first time in months after care home visits resumed in Inverclyde. The emotional moment took place between John and Mary Stevenson at Glenfield Care Home in Greenock s west end after lockdown restrictions were eased this week. Despite not being allowed to see each other indoors since Christmas Day last year, John, 89, still visited his beloved wife Mary, 97, every day just to see her through a window. The couple, who have been together for 74 years and married since 1972, were finally reunited face-to-face and enjoyed a big hug.
DELIVERY of second doses of the coronavirus vaccine is continuing apace in care homes across Inverclyde. Residents and staff have welcomed the rollout of follow-up booster jabs throughout all 13 local establishments, including at the Bagatelle facility run by Greenock Medical Aid Society,
pictured. The delivery of second doses began last Monday for those who received their first Covid jab within care homes between mid-December and January 21. Councillor Robert Moran, Inverclyde’s health and social care convener, said: “This is another major hurdle cleared in the race to suppress and, hopefully, eliminate coronavirus. “Not only is this a milestone moment in terms of protecting the health of our care home residents – and staff – it’s another step closer to reuniting them with their loved ones after so long apart.”
A NEW quickfire Covid-19 test is reuniting care home residents with their loved ones in time for Christmas. In emotional scenes at Bagatelle, 92-year-old Flo MacPhail was the first care home resident in Inverclyde to be able to hug and sit close to a relative, her niece, since the pandemic began. Bagatelle, run by Greenock Medical Aid Society, was the first to introduce the rapid tests, which return results in half an hour. Chief executive Andrea Wyllie looked on as applause rang out in the room from staff who have helped residents through the darkest year. It is now hoped the testing system can be rolled out across Inverclyde, with residents also set to be given the first vaccinations over the next week or so.