Mercy Hospital Logan County co-workers lined the halls Wednesday to cheer for a 102-year-old COVID-19 survivor as she was wheeled to her son’s car.
“I am so excited, she looks great and I truly thought this day would never happen,” said Lorenzo Hathorne, son of patient Della Hathorne.
Co-workers celebrated Hathorne’s release after her 12-day treatment at the rural hospital.
Hathorne began experiencing symptoms early this month after she was exposed to the virus in the community. On Oct. 2, she had a rapid PCR (nasal swab) test, was diagnosed COVID-19 positive and was admitted to the hospital – all on the same day.
Her medical team at Mercy Hospital Logan County consulted via telemedicine with a hospitalist at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City and decided Remdesivir would be her best course of treatment.
“Della is the first patient in Logan County that we felt was appropriate to receive Remdesivir and the fact that we had the opportunity because we are a part of Mercy is huge,” said Christopher Howard, nurse practitioner at Mercy Hospital Logan County. “As a rural hospital within Mercy, we have access to rapid testing and the latest treatment options which gives us confidence that we are offering the best care for our patients.”
Hathorne’s care team described her as a spunky patient who was a true fighter. After 12 days of inpatient treatment, she recovered and was able to be discharged home.
“During these unprecedented times, the fact that we get to send a 102-year-old woman home who survived a COVID-19 infection as severe as hers is one of those moments we all should celebrate,” said Dr. Daniel Pascucci, a Mercy Virtual hospitalist based in Oklahoma City, who treats patients across the state remotely.
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