Europe's Oldest Person Survives Covid Without Any Symptoms

An 116-year-old French nun who is Europe's oldest person has managed to survive Covid-19, after showing no symptoms of the deadly virus.

Lucile Randon, who took the name of Sister Andre in 1944, is due to celebrate her 117th birthday on Thursday (11 February) - also making her the second oldest person in the world.

According to French media, Sister Andre tested positive for the virus on 16 January, but didn't develop any symptoms.

Speaking to French newspaper Var-Matin, she said: "I didn't even realise I had it."

After testing positive, Sister Andre was isolated at her retirement home in Toulon, southern France, away from other residents.

According to Var Matin, not everyone at the home was quite so fortunate, with approximately 10 people dying after 81 of 88 residents tested positive for the virus last month.

When asked by French broadcaster BFM if she felt scared when she had coronavirus, Sister Andre - who is blind and uses a wheelchair - replied: "No, I wasn't scared, because I wasn't scared to die.

GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images

"I'm happy to be with you, but I would wish to be somewhere else - to join my big brother, and my grandfather and my grandmother."

Fast forward to three weeks later, and amazingly she's made a full recovery, and is now looking forward to celebrating her 117th birthday on Thursday, planning to mark the grand occasion with a smaller group of residents than usual.

David Tavella, spokesman for the Sainte Catherine Labouré retirement home, said Sister Andre has been 'very lucky', telling Var-Matin newspaper: "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.

"She showed no fear of the disease. On the other hand, she was very concerned about the other residents."

PA

Sister Andre, who was born on 11 February 1904, is listed by the Gerontology Research Group as the second-oldest known living person in the world, with 118-year-old Kane Tanaka from Japan being the oldest.

Last year, Sister Andre said she had no idea how she's managed to live so long.

She told French radio: "I've no idea what the secret is. Only God can answer that question.

"I've had plenty of unhappiness in life and during the 1914-1918 war when I was a child, I suffered like everyone else."

Topics: World News, News, Coronavirus

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

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