95-Year-Old Oregonian Veteran Who Served in WWII Has Beat Coronavirus

Medical professionals have generally warned that elderly people are at a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus. However, one Oregon veteran has proved them wrong.

Bill Kelly is a 95-year-old Yamhill County resident who contracted the coronavirus. The veteran, who served in the South Pacific during World War II, has since overcome a weeklong battle with the virus.

Besides living through the Great Depression and a World War, he’s now survived a global pandemic. Speaking about his fighting spirit, his granddaughter, Rose Etherington, 41, said: “Grandpa Bill’s pretty hardcore.”

Coming down with a fever

Monday marked the end of Kelly’s 14-day home quarantine from the rest of his family. Etherington, her mother, husband, and two children, a 5-year-old and 11-month-old, all live together with Kelly in McMinnville.

We treated the poor guy like a leper

The elderly man initially came down with a low-grade fever on March 15, 2020. Kelly had to stay overnight at a hospital because he suffers from kidney disease, a congenital heart condition, and high blood pressure.

Staying in isolation at home

The following day, the veteran was back at home because he was feeling much better. Being around Kelly during his illness meant the family had to wipe down anything he touched or came in contact with.

He stayed in isolation in his bedroom most of the time. Etherington’s husband, Isaac, 42, said: “It was seven days where we treated the poor guy like a leper.”

How Kelly survived COVID-19

Kelly kept healthy by drinking lots of liquids, resting, praying, and watching some old films. The elderly man’s granddaughter also shared his story on her Facebook account.

She revealed how he was beating the virus. No one else in the household was infected by the coronavirus.

Who is at risk of catching COVID-19

Most people only get mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. However, older adults and people with existing health problems are at a higher risk.

The survival rate

If they catch COVID-19, they can suffer from pneumonia and death. Despite this, a vast majority of people have recovered from the virus.

Grandmother survives virus

All the way in the UK, a great grandmother named Joy, 94, has survived the coronavirus. She fought the infection for nine days at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk.

Joy has credited her incredible recovery to the NHS staff.