PARIS – A 116-year-old French nun believed to be the second-oldest person in the world has survived COVID-19 and is looking forward to celebrating her 117th birthday on Thursday.
The Gerontology Research Group, which validates data from people believed to be 110 or older, names Frenchwoman Lucile Randon – Sister André’s birth name – the second oldest known living person in the world.
French media report that Sister André tested positive for the virus in the southern French city of Toulon in mid-January. But just three weeks later, the nun is considered recovered.
“I didn’t even know I had it,” she told the French newspaper Var-Matin.
Sister André, who is blind and in a wheelchair, was not concerned when she received her diagnosis.
“She didn’t ask me about her health, but about her habits,” David Tavella, communications manager at the nursing home where the nun was, told the newspaper. For example, she wanted to know if the eating or bedtime schedule would change. She showed no fear of the disease. On the other hand, she was very concerned about the other residents. “
Not all residents of the house shared Sister André’s happiness. In January, 81 of the 88 residents tested positive for the virus, and about 10 died, according to Var-Matin.
When doctors declared that the nun was no longer infected, she was allowed to attend mass.