105-year-old goes straight back to her knitting after surviving severe case of COVID-19

By Tom Bevan via SWNS

A 105-year-old has become one of the oldest people in Britain to survive coronavirus - and went straight back to her knitting.

Pat Aldridge beat the disease after just a FIVE day stay in hospital where she needed intermittent oxygen.

Her carers described her as ‘remarkable’ and say she is of the 'resilient generation' with no real concept of how serious her condition was.

And the day after her discharge, she was already taking part in quizzes, coffee mornings, knitting and going for her daily walk around the care home grounds.

Pat, who celebrated her 105th birthday in November, said: “I didn't know what the virus was, but I am fine now. I am the lucky one."

Staff at Nynehead Court in Wellington, Somerset, initially noticed she had low oxygen levels during her daily check and was given antibiotics which didn't improve.

Pat, who was born in Solihull in November 1914, tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in hospital on April 19 but says she didn’t need an oxygen mask.

She was put on oxygen and staff say that even on the morning after she was admitted she wanted to get up and about to do everything for herself.

Pat added: "I did not have a high temperature until the night I was admitted to hospital.

“I wasn’t frightened of seeing hospital staff in PPE as I had seen staff at the home wearing it and I don’t really remember the moment I was told I had beaten the virus.

“But I am just pleased to be back amongst my friends at the home and I feel as bright as I can for someone my age.

“Since I have come out of hospital, I have enjoyed catching up with my knitting which I do every day and have also attended an in-house coffee morning and a quiz.

“The staff help me keep in touch with my family via Skype on a regular basis and I have enjoyed walks around the grounds in the sunshine.

“I don’t remember much about the virus. But my advice to everyone else at the moment is just to take each day as it comes and appreciate the small things, whatever age you are.”

Staff at Nynehead Court says Pat started by coming for daycare but has been a permanent resident since November 2019.

They described her a “very stoical and resilient lady” who never complains and “takes each day as it comes.”

She first became ill at the beginning of April with a chesty cough. She was admitted to hospital on the evening of 16th April and was discharged five days later.

Jo Fenn, manager of Nynehead Court, said: “With so many tragic stories of care homes where residents contract Covid-19 and do not recover, we’re so glad to share our story of a happy outcome for Mrs. Aldridge.

"At 105 years old she is truly marvelous.”

The home described Pat as a very sociable lady who enjoys going to a lunch club on Wednesdays. She has previously put her long life down to her healthy diet which restricts sugar and fat, especially cake.

She is the only one of her seven siblings to reach the age of 100. She was married to her husband Ken for 52 years until she was widowed in 1990, and lived independently in the local community until recently

She decided to move to Nynehead Court because her family were moving away, and she wanted to remain close to her friends.

Laura Edwards, a ward sister at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Musgrove, said: "We are delighted that Pat responded so well to treatment and that she can now rest and recuperate at home with her family.

“We send our very best wishes to Pat and want to thank everyone in our team who helped in her recovery.”

Musgrove Park Doctor Benedict Morris said he had concerns for Pat when her infection became clear.

He said: "We always worry about anyone who tests positive, particularly those who are a little bit older.

"You do worry but at 105 she is made of stern stuff and that's what we saw when we met her.

"It was absolutely remarkable and I'm so pleased to hear she is back at her residential home.

"She has made an amazing recovery."

Pat’s daughter Mary Jane Yates said she was particularly grateful to Dr. Ben Morris and his team at Musgrove Park Hospital for their willingness to keep her informed of her mother’s progress on a daily basis.

She added: "It was an anxious time when visiting is impossible so this helped us to brief our extensive family.

“Nynehead Court had put the home into lockdown before the official lockdown was announced, and we are impressed that the home took the threat so seriously.

“We are extremely grateful to the staff for the love and care they have shown."