105 year old Somerset woman becomes one of UK’s oldest to recover from coronavirus

Pat Aldridge is thought to be one of the oldest people in the UK to recover from coronavirus.

A 105-year-old from Somerset has become one of the oldest people in the UK to recover from coronavirus.

Pat Aldridge beat the disease after a five-day stay in hospital in April.

She is now back living at her nursing home in Wellington, where carers described her recovery as “remarkable”.

Just days after being discharged, Pat was seen taking part in quizzes, coffee mornings, knitting and going for her daily walk around the care home grounds.

Speaking to ITV News West Country, she said she was “one of the lucky ones”.

Staff at Nynehead Court in Wellington 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 turned 105 last November.

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."

She added: “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.”

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.

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