A Port Matilda woman spent weeks at Mount Nittany with COVID-19. Now she’s going home
An 89-year-old Port Matilda woman was discharged Wednesday from Mount Nittany Medical Center after a monthlong battle with the new coronavirus.
Most patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 spend about seven to 10 days in the hospital, Mount Nittany Physician Group Dr. Peter Thomas said in a written statement.
Betty Knouse was hospitalized for more than a month
“To be 89 years old and spend more than 30 days recovering in the hospital is remarkable, but Betty was determined every day to get out of bed and make sure she ate to keep up her strength,” Thomas said. “She is a real fighter.”
Knouse and her doctor first believed she was fighting off a “nagging” sinus infection before she tested positive for the disease.
But despite falling into the range where most deaths attributed to COVID-19 have been reported — 80 to 89 years old — Knouse and Thomas made a pact to do everything they could to aid in her recovery.
“I knew I could fight this and win,” Knouse said in a written statement. “You just have to have faith. God will heal you.”
Knouse also used her recovery as a public service announcement, saying it’s imperative to remain more than 6 feet from others, wear a mask and frequently wash your hands.
After all, until an effective vaccine is developed, those are the only main options effective at mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
“I had the support of my family and so many friends. I was on, I think, something like 22 different prayer chains. The staff here never gave up on me. They’re all so special,” Knouse said. “One good thing about this virus is that you find out there are a whole lot of wonderful people in this world.”