At 104, Maharashtra's oldest beats Covid with willpower

KALYAN: As 104-year-old Anandi Jha hobbled, clutching a walking stick along Durga Mata Mandir locality in Kalyan (east) late Friday evening, people around were happy that ‘Dadaji is back home’. The elderly man was chaperoned by his son, Mukesh (48), who was in a protection suit.

Anandi, who had contracted Covid, is the oldest man in the stateto fight the infection. He had been admitted to Vedant Hospital in Thane on June 23 and was treated for 11 days.

Anandi caught the infection possibly from his son Mukesh, a builder. Mukesh told TOI: “After I got infected, all my family members including my father underwent the test. Three of my kids had a fever. Only my wife and nephew tested negative.”


Mukesh said the family was a bit worried for the patriarch. “His age was the reason for conernand so we got him admitted him to the private hospital,” said Mukesh, adding that he and his three children have been isolated at home for 14 days as advised by the doctor.

Dr Mohan Bhanushali who treated Anandi at Vedant Hospital said that the 104-year-old was having a fever while his oxygen level, blood pressure and other medical parameters were normal. “This is rare especially in the case of a patient who is above 100 years of age,” said Dr Bhanushali.

The Jha family and neighbours are celebrating Jha’s recovery. Officials from the Kalyan-Dombivli civic body said it was good news that a centenarian from the municipal limits had recovered and returned home.

The elderly man’s doctor insisted that the patient’s triumph over Covid is exemplary. “It debunks the misconception that it is impossible for an elderly person to fight Covid,” said Dr Bhanushali. “All you need is willpower. Like in Anandi Jha’s case.”