Europe's oldest living person has survived COVID-19 after testing positive just weeks before her 117th birthday.
Sister André, a French nun who was born in 1904, tested positive in the retirement home where she lives in Toulon, southern France, on January 16, according to the home’s communications director, David Tavella.
André, who was born Lucille Randon, showed no symptoms from the virus and didn’t even know she was infected until she received her positive test.
Despite no visitors being allowed because of strict COVID protocols, André is preparing to celebrate her 117th birthday today, Thursday 11th February. She will reportedly receive video messages from her family and the local mayor, as well as taking part in a video Mass, Tavella said.
André's birthday meal will feature her favorites: foie gras, baked Alaska and a glass of red wine, Tavella added.
Remarkably, André has lived through two world wars, as well as the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic that infected around 500 million people.
While Andre is the oldest living person in France today, she’s not the oldest in the world. That crown is held by Kane Tanaka, a Japanese woman who was born in 1903, according to the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).
* Image credit Gérard Julien/AFP/Getty Images