102-year-old Spanish Flu survivor recovers from coronavirus

A 102-year-old Icelandic woman who survived the Spanish flu has recovered from Covid-19, according to a United Nations report.

Helga Gudmundsdottir was placed under quarantine at her nursing home in the West Fjords at the beginning of April. She was declared virus-free just days before her 103rd birthday.

Iceland has been one of the most successful countries at tackling the coronavirus, limiting infections and carrying out extensive testing. 

Authorities have tested over 13{e93887a69cdd95d753f466db084bbc3aa0067124675315461d28d68a72842cc2} of the population, making Iceland a leader in testing rates per capita.

The country, which has a high life-expectancy rate, has reported only a dozen new cases since 24 April and is now in the process of easing restrictions and reopening its economy.

The country’s finance ministry has warned that its GDP may contract by as much as 9{e93887a69cdd95d753f466db084bbc3aa0067124675315461d28d68a72842cc2} this year. However, the ministry estimates the recession may be followed by a 5{e93887a69cdd95d753f466db084bbc3aa0067124675315461d28d68a72842cc2} rebound in economic growth in 2021. 

A crucial element in the country’s recovery is tourism, and foreign minister Minister Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson has previously told media that various ways of reopening the country to tourists are being discussed in order to enable economic recovery. 

Additional reporting by Fin24