Zorie De Mattos is now a local legend after beating the novel coronavirus at the age of 105 and she and two other survivors were feted yesterday.
De Mattos, who resides at the Palms Geriatric Home, was said to have contracted the coronavirus sometime in May.
However, with the help of the Ministry of Public Health medical team, she is among three residents who were able to recover.
According to Geneveiva De Mattos, a great-niece of the elderly woman, her great aunt was placed in the care of the then “Alms Home” at a young age, by a now-deceased brother who was unable to care for her.
She said De Mattos and her mom were placed at the home where she spent practically her entire childhood and later adulthood, and it’s where she currently resides.
She said that her aunt has no intention of leaving the Palms as it is the place she knows as home.
An official from the home, who preferred to remain anonymous, des-cribed the elderly resident as a helpful person, who in her early days enjoyed doing house chores and beautifying her surroundings.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Ministry of Social Protec-tion, yesterday celebrated the “Palms trio victory against COVID-19.”
It stated: “On June 17, 2020, three residents of the Palms Geriatric Home celebrated their incredible journey of recovering from the virus that killed in excess of 400,000 worldwide.”
The trio, De Mattos, Sheila Gill and Fazil Mohamed, were joined by doctors and nurses for a celebration held in the Infirmary, before their return to the general ward.
The release also shared that the three survivors were allowed to indulge in chocolate treats, while Palms staff, resident doctors – Dr Laura Perera and Dr Iliana Reyes – and nurses, were elated that their hard work paid off, since they had “worked feverishly to ensure the affected residents received the best medical care.”
Dr Perera disclosed that a specialised diet, vitamins, round-the-clock care and love, were the main attributing factors for the successful recoveries.
The ministry informed that a total of 12 residents were infected, two of whom succumbed, while the remaining seven – said to be between the ages of 55 and 90 – are being continuously monitored and are set to be retested tomorrow.
COVID-19 Coordinator for the Home, Doneth Mingo, is optimistic that the results will be negative. She explained that “once the green light is given by the doctors, all safety measures will be implemented to ensure the residents join the others in the general ward.”
The Ministries of Social Protection and Public Health applauded the Coordinator and resident doctors for providing the necessary care and expertise to aid the Palms in fighting the spread of the virus.
The Ministry of Public Health, through the Georgetown Public Hospi-tal has 30 doctors in its Intensive Care COVID-19 Unit (ICCU), and two doctors from the Unit visit and monitor the Palms’ patients on a daily basis.
