104-Year-Old Oldest Domestic COVID-19 Patient Discharged After 12 Tests

A Dangerous Crisis with Blood Pressure Drop Once
Medical Staff Present Bouquet to Celebrate Full Recovery

On the 15th, at Gyeongbuk Provincial Pohang Medical Center in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Choi, a 104-year-old grandmother who is the oldest confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection in Korea, was discharged after testing negative. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] The oldest confirmed COVID-19 patient in South Korea, 104-year-old grandmother Choi, was discharged on the 15th after being declared fully recovered following 12 tests.

According to Pohang Medical Center, grandmother Choi was discharged around noon after testing negative following 67 days of COVID-19 treatment.

Grandmother Choi was infected with COVID-19 on March 10 at Seorin Nursing Home in Gyeongsan City and was transferred to Gyeongbuk Provincial Pohang Medical Center for treatment.

She exhibited symptoms such as coughing and sore throat, and in April, she developed enteritis, which led to a dangerous critical condition with decreased consciousness, low blood pressure, and increased white blood cell and inflammation levels.

Due to her advanced age and difficulty moving alone, as well as pre-existing conditions, medical staff reportedly stayed by her side in 24-hour shifts.

Grandmother Choi underwent a total of 12 tests from March 26 to the present. She initially tested negative on the 9th test but tested positive again on the 10th test.

The medical center stated that although she tested negative twice on the 8th and 11th of this month, she was not discharged due to her advanced age and the many cases of re-positive results after being declared recovered.

Subsequently, she tested negative on the 11th test on the 13th and again negative on the 12th test on the 14th.

The medical center allowed her discharge on the 15th according to guidelines permitting discharge after two consecutive negative tests and at the patient's request.

The medical staff congratulated grandmother Choi on her recovery by presenting her with a prepared bouquet of flowers.

Grandmother Choi was reportedly seen raising her hand briefly in gratitude as she left the hospital in a wheelchair.

Meanwhile, it was reported that grandmother Choi was transported back to Seorin Nursing Home in Gyeongsan by ambulance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.