102-year-old applauded out of hospital after becoming one of Britain's oldest patients to beat coronavirus

Vera Beeley, from Arbourthorne, Sheffield, has left the Northern General Hospital 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 on the Sunday evening and was treated with oxygen before being discharged on Friday 17 April.

Mrs Beeley, a retired cleaner and former cutlery worker, has two daughters Irene Whitehead and Jane Wright. She also has four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Mrs Whitehead said both her and her sister were thrilled to have their mum be given the all clear following a week’s stay at the Sheffield-based hospital.

“She is a little fighter and we are all over the moon that she has beaten Covid-19, she said.

"She has always been a very strong willed lady and that hasn’t changed.

We used to ring the hospital every day and they were just brilliant with her, it’s just amazing at her age that she has recovered from this awful virus.”

Professor Chris Morley, the Chief Nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added: “I am thrilled to hear that Mrs Beeley has recovered from Covid-19 and I wish her and her family all the best.

"Thank you to our fabulous teams who are working hard to provide the best possible care to our patients at this extraordinary time and continue to strive to deliver the best experience and outcomes for patients like Mrs Beeley, despite the current challenges that they face.”

Her grandson Ian Whitehead, 50, described his grandmother as "a strong lady,” after watching footage of her 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.

Mr Whitehead 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 said 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.”

He 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.”

Additional reporting Nik Farah

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