Great-gran, 99, becomes UK's oldest person to recover from coronavirus
A woman aged 99 has become the UK’s oldest coronavirus survivor after defying expectations she would pull through after contracting the disease.
Grandmother-of-four Rita Reynolds fell ill on March 25 after testing positive for COVID-19.
Doctors advised her family to prepare for the worst as her condition deteriorated.
End of life drugs were ordered in and Rita was kept comfortable by the dedicated staff at the Abbeyfield care home in Bramhall near Stockport.
But against all expectations, Rita fought back and started to pull through and get better, with district nurses confirming on Thursday that she was recovering well.
Rita, a former driver for the Women’s Air Force driver, survived The Blitz by hiding under her kitchen table reading a book, will celebrate her 100th birthday this July.
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Her grandson Henry Phillips, 37, said: "I was certain that was it for her. When you hear everything you hear about coronavirus, and a 99-year-old gets it - she's 99 so obviously she's frail - I didn't think there was any way she would recover from it.
"But she seems to have done it. I don't know how she got through it. I don't think she has ever eaten a vegetable or fruit.”
The accountant added: "Biscuits, cakes and marmalade sandwiches - that's probably what got her through it."
Rita, who was born in the Isle of Man, was married to late husband Ralph, a scientist, and they had three children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Vigilant care home staff originally called in the doctor after Rita struggled to breathe, and she didn't feel like eating or getting out of bed.
Read more: Coronavirus: Matt Hancock says it's 'highly likely' he's now immune to COVID-19
There have been several positive stories of pensioners successfully beating COVID-19.
Last week, an 82-year-old man who contracted coronavirus returned home after making a “miraculous” recovery.
Sid Lovenbury tested positive for COVID-19 after being rushed to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Read more: Coronavirus: Six residents die at Liverpool care home after contracting COVID-19
The pensioner was experiencing a high temperature fever and suspected pneumonia after falling ill at Church Terrace Nursing Home in Cheadle, North Staffordshire.
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