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Nun, 116, who is Europe's oldest person recovers from COVID

Sister Andre (C), Lucille Randon in the registry of birth, the eldest French citizen, is pushed in a wheelchair during an event to celebrate her 116th birthday in the EHPAD (Housing Establishment for Dependant Elderly People) in Toulon, southern France, where she has been living since 2009. - Sister Andre was born February 11, 1904. (Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP) (Photo by GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Sister Andre, the second oldest person in the world, has survived COVID-19. (AFP via Getty Images)

A 116-year-old nun, thought to be the second oldest person in the world, has survived coronavirus infection.

Sister Andre – born Lucile Randon – overcame the disease which has claimed 12 lives at her nursing home, according to Nice Matin in France.

Staff at the Sainte Catherine Labouré home in Toulon were "really worried" after her diagnosis on 16 January, with COVID-19 known to affect older people worse. She is considered to be Europe's oldest person.

However, the blind and wheelchair-bound Sister Andre insisted she "did not even realise that I had it", and plans to celebrate turning 117 on 11 February.

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"Even if we take care of all our residents in the same way, we know that having the oldest European in our home is a source of pride as well as an immense responsibility," David Tavella, communications officer of the Sainte Catherine Labouré, told Nice Matin.

"She didn't ask me about her health, but about her habits.

Sister Andre (C), Lucille Randon in the registry of birth, the eldest French citizen, looks on during an event to celebrate her 116th birthday in the EHPAD (Housing Establishment for Dependant Elderly People) in Toulon, southern France, where she has been living since 2009. - Sister Andre was born February 11, 1904. (Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP) (Photo by GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Sister Andre is looking forward to celebrating her birthday. (AFP via Getty Images)

"She wanted to know, for example, if the meal or bed time would change. She showed no fear of the disease. However, she was very worried about the other residents."

Sister Andre, who comes from Ales in Gard, was asymptomatic for weeks and tested negative a few days ago. She was among the 81 residents at the home who caught COVID-19, out of 88.

The home has planned to celebrate her 117th birthday with precautions remaining in place.

The oldest verified living person in the world in Kane Tanaka, of Japan, who is 118.

Watch: What is long COVID?