104-year-old Metro Detroit woman beats cancer, 1968 flu pandemic, also beats COVID

METRO DETROIT, Mich. – Pearl was diagnosed with COVID on her 104th birthday.

June 11, 2021: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 891,933; Death toll now at 19,487

The super-survivor had already beaten cancer and contracted the H3N2 influenza virus during the 1968 flu pandemic and survived. When she went to the hospital with a stomach ailment in April, she was diagnosed with COVID.

Her family said they had been safe and many members had been vaccinated. Had Pearl not gotten sick, she would have gotten the vaccine. The family believes they didn’t get deathly ill because of the vaccines worked and prevented the virus from getting worse. They also credit Pearl’s previous exposure to H3N2.

Pearl returned home and will pull through. The family said she will continue to be a bright and shining light. She is scheduled to get her COVID vaccine in mid-July.

More: Michigan COVID vaccine coverage