Evacuated Weaver Court residents self-isolate following Covid case

Weaver Court residents have been told that one person at Memorial Court, where they were first moved to, has tested positive for coronavirus.

A spokesman for FirstPort, which manages Weaver Court, told The Guardian: "Whilst all interactions with residents at Brio Leisure Centre were socially distanced, Public Health England has advised that our residents and the development manager should self-isolate for 10 days as a precaution, which they are now doing."

Around 50 residents were rescued by firefighters from the independent retirement living development in London Road and ferried in dinghies through the flooded streets.

Storm Christoph had cut off the electricity leaving the village with no power, hot water or heating since 8pm last Wednesday.

Most of the elderly people were taken to Forest Hills Hotel in Frodsham though some have been looked after by relatives.

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Residents Geoff Enwright, 94, and wife, Rosie, 87, who have had their Covid jabs, have been staying with daughter Fran, 65, and husband Geoff in Hartford.

Rose and Geoff Enwright celebrating Geoff's 93rd birthday

Rose and Geoff Enwright celebrating Geoff's 93rd birthday

The couple's granddaughter Lesley Davenport, 32, from Winnington, said: "My grandparents are back and safe in their own home now. Unfortunately one of the helpers in Memorial Court tested positive for Covid so they are all having to self isolate.

"Mum and dad have also had to self isolate."

Rose Enright

Rose Enwright

The couple moved back into their apartment on the first floor yesterday, where they have lived for the past 10 years.

Geoff Enwright

Geoff Enwright

"We had to stock up their fridge and freezer as they lost all their food when the electricity went off," said Lesley. "Waitrose has been really good and dropped off some food."

Joan Ferrario, whose 89-year-old mum Pam stayed at the Frodsham hotel for five days, said: "My mum is absolutely fine. They have been very well looked after.

"The hotel had to re-open specially to look after the residents as it had been closed for lockdown.

Joan Ferrario is feels more settled now that her mum Pam Latham is back in her own home at Weaver Court

Joan Ferrario is feels more settled now that her mum Pam Latham is back in her own home at Weaver Court

"I feel much more settled now that mum is back in her own home."

Pam, who had her Covid vaccination three weeks ago, lives in an apartment on the ground floor.

Joan said Weaver Court was waterlogged 18 months ago in a flood but residents didn't have to evacuate because the power was not cut off.

"Hopefully they will put something in place in case it happens again," said Joan. "We can't blame the flood defences because they held the water back but unless they do something about the drains it will happen again if we get bad weather.

"They should stop building properties in Northwich until they get all the infrastructure in place."

A spokesman for FirstPort added: “Our team has worked really hard to get the development ready for residents to return and we are pleased to report that the majority of residents have moved back home now that the electricity has been restored.

"There is now just some outstanding cosmetic work to complete in the communal areas affected and work to restore the lift, which will be complete in the coming weeks.

"A small number of residents have chosen to stay with their family members until the lift is back in working order."