KEY POINTS

  • A 116-year-old Frenchwoman survived COVID-19
  • The French nun is scheduled to celebrate her 117th birthday on Thursday
  • 81 of the 88 residents in the sister's care home tested positive for the virus

A 116-year old French nun is looking forward to celebrating her 117th birthday on Thursday after surviving the novel coronavirus.

Sister André, whose given name is Lucile Randon, is listed as the second-oldest known living person in the world, according to the Gerontology Research Group. The organization validates the details of people thought to be over the age of 110.

The Frenchwoman had tested positive for COVID-9 in mid-January, but recovered three weeks later, French newspaper Var-Matin reported. Sister André said she did not worry when she was diagnosed with the virus. The 116-year-old nun is blind and requires a wheelchair.

“I didn’t even realize I had it,” she told the French publication.

David Tavella, the communications manager for the care home where the nun was admitted, said she never showed any fear of the virus. However, she frequently worried about the other residents.

“She didn’t ask me about her health, but about her habits. For example, she wanted to know if meal or bedtime schedules would change,” Tavella said. “She showed no fear of the disease. On the other hand, she was very concerned about the other residents.”

In January, 81 of the 88 residents of the nursing home where Sister André stayed were diagnosed with COVID-19. At least 10 residents died.

Sister André is one of the few people over the age of 110 to survive a coronavirus infection.

In June 2020, an Ethiopian monk named Tilahun Woldemichael, who is believed to be 114 years old, recovered from COVID-19 after he was placed on oxygen and given dexamethasone. Woldemichael’s exact age cannot be verified, as he has no birth certificate.

In May 2020, Maria Branyas — then 112 years old — was one of many infected with COVID-19 when Spain had a devastating outbreak. She made a full recovery after the infection and called for a revolution in the treatment of the elderly after 17 of the 133 living in the care home she stayed at died from the virus.

“It will have to be done all over again and differently,” Branyas said. “Given my age, I likely won’t be there. But believe me a new order is needed.”

“This pandemic has revealed that older people are the forgotten ones of our society. They fought their whole lives, sacrificed time and their dreams for today’s quality of life. They didn’t deserve to leave the world in this way,” she added.

Branyas had lived through the 1918 influenza pandemic, World War I and II, and Spain’s civil war.

Coronavirus has intensified the stress and strain for South African health workers
Coronavirus has intensified the stress and strain for South African health workers AFP / Michele Spatari