An elderly couple from Surrey Estate say their stay at one of the province’s Covid-19 isolation facilities was like a second honeymoon.

The 67 year old Jacob Bruiners and his wife Valerie isolated together at the facility after both testing positive. Jacob Bruiners is wheelchair-bound and suffers from diabetes and hypertension.

He tested positive first and was taken to the facility alone initially.

“I was very calm and did not panic when I found out I had the Coronavirus, because if you stress, then you will make yourself even sicker,” says Mr Bruiners.

“The Department arranged for the Red Dot taxi to collect me, and I had to leave my wife behind because I could not safely isolate at home and I understood that it was the best decision for my family,” explains Mr Bruiners.

After Valerie tested positive the healthcare team decided that it will be best for her to isolate with her husband.

“After all, it is not right for a wife to be in a strange place without her husband,” says Mrs Bruiners about her decision to isolate with her husband. “The staff were so helpful. They made arrangements to have me isolate in a double room with my husband,” says Mrs Bruiners.

“When I saw my wife, I felt so much better and was very happy that we could be together again, my spirit was lifted,” smiles Mr Bruiners. They were also supported by their loved ones. “Our family and friends sent us messages of support and love,” says the couple.

The Bruiners enjoyed their stay so much and wanted to stay longer even though their isolation period was coming to an end.

When the couple arrived home, they were more cautious and even though family and friends wanted to visit, they requested that they receive no visitors in order to protect the vulnerable couple.

The “love birds” are enjoying life and are grateful to have recovered from COVID-19, despite their age and comorbidities.