A 106-year-old woman believed to be the UK's oldest patient to recover from coronavirus has been discharged from hospital.

Great-grandmother Connie Titchen, who has lived through two World Wars, was admitted to hospital last month with suspected pneumonia and was later diagnosed with COVID-19.

She suffered from the virus for just under three weeks before being given the all-clear by medics this week.

Image: Connie Titchen said she felt 'very lucky'. Pic: Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

On leaving Birmingham City Hospital, she said: "I feel very lucky that I've fought off this virus. I can't wait to see my family."

Ms Titchen's granddaughter Alex Jones said the grandmother-of-five and great-grandmother-of-eight has led a "really active life" and had loved to dance, cycle and play golf.


Ms Jones added: "She has always cooked for herself too, although she likes a cheeky McDonald's every now and then. I haven't told her they are closed."

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust announced the news of Ms Titchen's recovery in a Facebook post, writing: "Someone else we'd like to give our own round of applause to is Connie.

"She, like others, is heading home from City Hospital having successfully beaten coronavirus.

"At 106 she is our oldest patient to do so - in fact she may very well be the oldest in the country to do so! Well done Connie."

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Ms Jones, 40, said: "I think the secret of her old age is that she is physically active and very independent.

"She had a hip operation back in December and within 30 days she was walking again.

"She really is amazing and I know all the family can't wait to see her. She has quite a few fans!"

Ms Jones praised staff at City Hospital, saying she "can't fault" her grandmother's care.

"I want to thank the staff for all they have done for her during her stay," she added.

Sister Kelly Smith, who looked after Ms Titchen, said: "It's been fantastic to see Connie recover. She is amazing and we've been doing our best to nurse her back to health.

"We were really pleased when she was given the all clear. It's nice to see patients leave our ward after having beaten this virus."

There have been several cases of older patients recovering from coronavirus in the UK in recent weeks.

Second World War veteran Albert Chambers, who turns 100 in July, was given a guard of honour from nurses at Tickhill Road Hospital in Doncaster after overcoming COVID-19.

And 101-year-old coronavirus survivor Keith Watson was pictured with his thumbs up after being discharged from hospital in Worcestershire.

There have been more than 12,000 coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals in the UK, with a further 761 deaths announced on Wednesday.