Their mother died in Covid-19 at the residence: "Could not imagine this would not be taken seriously"

80-year-old Birgit Falk has been living in a municipal accommodation in Gothenburg for a few months for people with dementia or Alzheimer's.

A little more than a week ago, Birgit's daughter Maria Lim Falk received a call from the accommodation, which has previously introduced a ban on visitors because of the corona crisis.

Birgit then has a cough and a fever, says her daughter. But those responsible do not want to consult doctors about testing for covid-19 and say there is no cause for concern, according to Maria Lim Falk.

Maria's sister, Hanna Falk, says her mother was labeled by Azheimers - but describes her as a spit and present at their last meeting.

- We talked and ate pastries, which she loved.

On Sunday, March 29, the sisters' father is making his last visit. It will be a completely different meeting.

- She was in very bad condition. Her head just hung, says Hanna Falk.

The family does not give up. One week after the family started showing symptoms, Birgit Falk is tested for covid-19. On Friday night, the answer comes, that's positive.

- The doctor says that it is not possible to contact her, that it is near the end, says Hanna Falk.

The night until Sunday, just over two days after the test answer arrived, Birgit Falk falls asleep.

- Dad had to say goodbye over the phone. The easiest thing would have been to leave here and think "now mom is gone". But we know others who live there that we are worried about, ”says Hanna Falk.

The family is critical that those responsible did not react to the symptoms earlier. They are worried about what the effect might be when staff, several substitutes, moved into the department during the past week.

- We couldn't imagine that this would not be taken seriously. It's a horror experience, ”says Hanna Falk.

Can you understand that this is a new and pressing situation for everyone?

- I think we all feel it is an unreal situation. But what is striking here is that it has been clear what the risk group is, it is the older ones.

Christine Ljungblad Högberg, area manager for special housing in the district, writes in an e-mail that employees must use protective equipment in contact with people who exhibit symptoms such as cough, sniffing or fever.

Because of confidentiality, she cannot comment on individual cases, but writes that it is the doctor who decides whether to take the sampling.

What are you doing now with regard to the staff who may have been exposed to infection?

- We follow basic hygiene routines and use protective equipment recommended by Infectious Protection in the Västra Götaland region.

At 17 o'clock on Wednesday, the managers of the accommodation sent out an e-mail, which SVT took note of, confirming a case of covid-19 on the accommodation and announcing that several people had been tested during the day.