102-year-old applauded out of hospital after becoming Sheffield’s oldest patient to beat coronavirus

Vera Beeley left Northern General yesterday to applause from the health workers who had treated her, after she was admitted to hospital last weekend.

The great-grandmother tested positive for coronavirus Sunday evening and was treated with oxygen before being discharged yesterday afternoon.

“She’s such a strong lady,” her grandson Ian Whitehead said, after watching footage of his grandmother leaving the hospital, which was posted on social media by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

“Obviously we haven’t been able to see her for five weeks, which has been really tough.

“We’re just so pleased she’s doing well, and is back home where she belongs.”

Staff at Heeley Bank Care Home - where Ms Beeley had only recently moved, having lived on her own well past her 100th birthday - called paramedics in the early hours of Sunday morning, when she began struggling with a cough.

Ian said: “They were concerned about some of her symptoms, given her age, and the paramedics took her to hospital, where she tested positive for coronavirus.

“The consultant spoke with my mum, and said that the next few days would be one way or the other, depending on whether her symptoms worsened.

“We knew that her age was against her, but she did really well, and only ever needed a nasal tube to help with her oxygen levels.

“48 hours after that conversation with the consultant, she was on her way home.

“The staff have been fantastic. It’s such a hard situation, as relatives can’t be there with their loved ones, and the phone is ringing all the time with people wanting updates.

“It was hard for us not being able to see her, or even speak with her.

“As soon as we found out she was on her way home, my mum’s sister ran over to the care home, and managed to wave at her as she was being wheeled back inside by the paramedics.”

Ian reveals that social distancing has been particularly difficult for his grandmother, who is used to visitors daily.

“Between the whole family, my nan usually has someone visit her every day, so five weeks without anyone has been quite distressing at times, but she’s such a strong lady.

“The family and I were watching a video this week of her singing ‘We’ll Meet Again’ to all her guests at her 100th birthday party, which feels particularly fitting at the moment.”

The 50-year-old added: “My daughter is pregnant at the moment, and the baby is due in September, and we’re all hoping the family can be back together by then, so that we can have five generations all in one room together.”