A 101-year-old Italian man has fully recovered from COVID-19 and returned home to his family on March 25.
Italy has been the hardest hit by COVID-19 mortality, with over 11,500 deaths since the outbreak began. Yet, positive developments are emerging: new cases have risen by just 4% in the last 24 hours—a quarter of the rate from two weeks ago.
Proving recovery is possible for all ages: Among the more than 14,600 Italians who have beaten the virus is a 101-year-old from Rimini, identified as "M.P." by authorities. He tested positive in early March.
Born in 1919 amid the raging Spanish flu pandemic—named for Spain's open reporting—"M.P." endured a disease caused by the avian H1N1 virus that claimed an estimated 20-50 million lives in two years, two to five times the World War I death toll.
COVID-19 marks the world's most severe health crisis since that pandemic, and like a true survivor, "M.P." has conquered both.
“He has seen it all,” said Rimini Deputy Mayor Gloria Lisi. “War, hunger, pain, progress, crises, and resurrections. After crossing the 100-year mark, fate presented this new, invisible, and formidable challenge. It proves that even at 101, the future remains unwritten.”
While older adults and those with conditions like hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes face higher risks of severe COVID-19, stories like this offer real hope.
"M.P." isn't alone: A 103-year-old man, Zhang Guangfen, also recovered in Wuhan, China, earlier this month.
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