BACOLOD CITY - A 92-year-old woman, considered the oldest survivors of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Negros Occidental, is bringing hope and courage to everyone amid the struggle to fight the pandemic.
And Antonina Gargoles of Barangay Saraet, Himamaylan City, conquered the disease without expert medical attention at any hospital, as she recovered at home just with the help of her family.
As such, she has become a source of inspiration in her village and the province, as she showed how, despite her old age, she was able to remain strong and hopeful in her battle against the deadly viral disease.
News of Gargoles recovering from COVID-19 was shared on Facebook by Dr. Kaye Marie Yap, who is also a barrio doctor in the city.
According to Yap, Gargoles contracted the virus on July 23.
Yap said Gargoles suddenly felt too weak, febrile and was suffering difficulty of breathing when they visited her on August 6. The elderly lady also had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Yap said she advised Gargoles’ family to bring her to a tertiary hospital. However, they refused, as they wanted to take care of her, considering her old age and bedridden status.
Yap said they had to concede and decided to just provide her with medicines, and monitored her from time to time.
Gargoles took her medicines diligently with the help of her daughter and grandson, Yap said.
“She was in good hands, under the care of her kind and loving family,” she added.
Two days after she started her medication, her condition started to improve, eventually leading to her full recovery. Her repeated swab test result came out negative, with no symptoms, according to Yap.
Yap shared on social media that she considered Gargoles as their inspiration in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Himamaylan Mayor Raymund Tongson, said Gargoles brought them hope, strength and courage in these trying times.
Tongson thanked her for being the silver lining amid the darkness caused by the pandemic.
“Mabuhay ka, Lola,” the mayor said, as he lauded Gargoles for being courageous.