A 100-YEAR-OLD grandmother is thought to be Tynedale’s oldest coronavirus survivor.

Evelyn Cordwell, who celebrated her milestone birthday on March 7, battled the virus at Wentworth Grange Residential Home, in Riding Mill, where she has been a resident since August 2017.

And now, the former wartime nursing assistant at Hexham General Hospital is recovering and enjoying life again.

Evelyn’s daughter Yvonne Osler, who grew up in the Tyne Valley, said: “It’s marvellous. The home really did look after her and we can’t fault what they did.

“At one time, we thought that was it, so we are over the moon she has gotten over it.”

Yvonne explained that Evelyn, who was born in Hexham, was getting back to her usual self, despite still experiencing a cough.

And welcomes regular visits from her family, albeit from the window.

A spokeswoman for Wentworth Grange said: “Evelyn is a pleasure to care for. She has an amazing sense of humour and is loved by every member of staff. Most staff that could attended her 100th birthday.

“She is a very friendly, kind lady, who is always offering staff sweets, and is very appreciative of the care she receives.”

While the majority of care homes across the country closed their doors to visitors mid March, registered manager and director of Wentworth Grange Residential Home, Jeff Lee, made the decision to lockdown early in a bid to contain the virus.

And since, staff have worked around the clock to provide care to 50 vulnerable and elderly people across the four acre site’s two units.

“The nursing and care team are so strong, I knew they’d cope with the virus”, said Mr Lee.

“The staff all rose to the challenge and it’s been great to see them pull together. Our priority was always to keep the staff and guests safe.

“And its thanks to the staff that the few guests diagnosed with the virus have all gotten better and made a full recovery.”

He added: “It’s a real testament to the abilities of the team, right from the care team to housekeeping, administration and maintenance, they’ve all knocked it out of the park and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Despite safety measures, which prevent non-essential visits, still in place, Wentworth Grange, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, is now in a position to reopen for new admissions.

The oldest known Covid-19 survivor in the UK is 106-year-old Connie Titchen, from Birmingham.