99-Year-Old Woman Is Oldest Patient In Karnataka To Beat COVID-19

A 99-year-old woman has reportedly become the oldest person from Karnataka, to recover from COVID-19 in a record nine days. Marceline Saldanha returned home on Friday from the Emergency and Trauma Care Centre at Victoria Hospital.

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Saldanha had to be admitted to the hospital on her 99th birthday. Recalling the incident she said, ''When my son told me that we had to get admitted to a government hospital, I was very reluctant. I had been to a government hospital 40 years ago and had not liked the ambience and patient care there. But now as I walk out of another government hospital, my notion... has changed.”

Ms Saldanha was admitted along with her 70-year-old son, 66-year-old daughter-in-law, and her grandson. While she was unsymptomatic, her family members had fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue.

The 99-year-old, who has a history of hypertension, appreciated the nursing staff, for taking good care of her. “I am happy that I am free from the infection. People should not panic... over the infection. It is important to be confident and follow doctors’ advice, take precautions, and take medications regularly,” she said, as per The Hindu.

Vijay Saldanha, Marceline's 29-year-old grandson who was also discharged with her, lauded the positive attitude of his grandmother. “She has been active all through her hospital stay. My nephew and niece used to keep her engaged by talking to her on the phone,” said he.

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K.V. Trilok Chandra, head of the State Critical Care Support Unit said that being asymptomatic and reporting early to the hospital had worked in favour of the patient. “She is the oldest patient to have recovered in the State. Although she had hypertension, she did not develop any other complications. Of the 3,500 high-risk cases, including senior citizens, that we have monitored so far, nearly 1,300 have already been discharged,” he said.

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Speaking to The Hindu, Marceline said she they family had been taking all possible precautions during the pandemic. ''None of us stepped out of the house. I learned about the disease on TV and also became aware of the precautions to be taken. We were following all precautions and despite that when my daughter-in-law and son had fever and irritation in the throat, all of us got tested," said she, further adding that everyone in the family tested positive for COVID-19 except her granddaughter.

Image Credit: The Hindu

Ritu Yadav is an intern with SheThePeople.TV