Great-gran, 97, beats coronavirus

Above: Joyce fell ill on March 16, but has now fully recovered from her ordeal and is back home (Image: Stoke Sentinel / BPM Media)

Joyce Goldstraw, from Leek, fell ill on March 16 – with her family despairing after she was then diagnosed with COVID-19 – but she has recovered after receiving treatment at Macclesfield General Hospital.

97-year old Joyce, who worked as a corporal in the Women’s RAF during the Second World War, had to face her ordeal without visitors as hospital measures to stem the spread of coronavirus meant no access could be granted to friends or family.

Macclesfield Hospital medics and carers made sure hard-of-hearing Joyce was comfortable and receiving the appropriate care, but family wondered if the virus, or the social distancing measures imposed by the Government, would prevent Joyce from ever returning home.

Against all odds the near-centenarian made a miraculous recovery and returned home last week to her flat which she has occupied for more than 30 years, after tests showed Joyce had overcome the virus.