‘101-year-old’ woman survives COVID in Osun

Victor Adetiloye, the chief medical director of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), says a 101-year-old woman survived COVID-19 after receiving treatment at the facility.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Adetiloye said the woman was taken to a private hospital in Ile-Ife, Osun state, after she developed cough, fever and breathlessness but had to be referred to OAUTH after she tested positive for COVID-19.

He added that she spent less than two weeks on admission before she was discharged from the hospital.

“She is a 101-year-old woman who initially presented at a private hospital in Ile-Ife with acute onset of cough breathlessness, fever and malaise,” the statement reads.

“Symptoms started eight days before presentation. The patient’s clinical condition worsened and this warranted a screening test for SARS CoV2. The PCR result returned positive and she was subsequently admitted to the OAUTHC isolation centre on 30/01/2021.

“The relevant findings on admission included poor oxygen saturation (SpO2 90% on oxygen), lethargy, altered sensorium, neutrophilic leucocytosis, and hypokalemia. She was subsequently managed with intravenous antibiotics, supplemental oxygen, high dose multivitamins, zinc sulphate, potassium supplementation, subcutaneous clexane and low dose intravenous dexamethasone.

“She was closely monitored as regards vital signs, especially the oxygen saturation, pulse, blood pressure and blood glucose. She was cautiously anticoagulated and subsequently mobilised on wheel chair.”

The CMD added that the woman’s condition gradually improved, and she was taken off oxygen six days after admission.

“At discharge, she was stable with oxygen saturation at 97 percent, and other vital signs were within normal limits,” he said.

“She was discharged home on medications and counselled on the need to observe all the non-pharmacological preventive measures against COVID-19.

“The total length of admission was 12 days, and she was discharged into the warm embrace of her children and other close relations.”