A PENSIONER who has recently recovered from coronavirus said she didn’t panic when she tested positive and that keeping fit helped pull her through.

Winifred Jones, 94, from Bampton, tested positive for Covid-19 on New Year’s Eve after a troublesome cough.

Now though, after making a full recovery, she is getting back into her old routine by doing plenty of exercise.

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Mrs Jones said: “I didn’t panic, I knew what it was and just got on with it – that’s how I am.

“What’s the point in panicking, I’m a tough old nut.

“I had that silly cough for about two weeks and then I got better.

“You can’t help catching this virus, but I’ve always kept fit and cycled a lot.”

Oxford Mail: 94-year-old Winifred Jones has battled back from having Covid over New Year. Pictured doing exercise and with her daughter Sandie Sharples. Picture by Ed Nix94-year-old Winifred Jones has battled back from having Covid over New Year. Pictured doing exercise and with her daughter Sandie Sharples. Picture by Ed Nix

Mrs Jones revealed an active lifestyle and a healthy appetite were key to her defeating Covid-19 and her continued recovery.

She said: “I’ve always kept fit – I like walking so I’ve been going for long walks around Bampton again recently.

“I’ve been using weights long before all this happened, and have carried on with them.

“I love my food as well and the things I eat help keep me fit.

“You’ve got to stop worrying about yourself, I’ve always had a sense of humour and I like to have a bit of fun.

“You’ve got to keep cheerful and that makes a heck of a difference.”

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Mrs Jones, who was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, moved to Oxfordshire in the 1950s, initially to Witney, when her husband David got a job in the town.

Mr Jones unfortunately passed away four years ago. The couple moved to Bampton 14 years ago and had three daughters, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Oxford Mail: 94-year-old Winifred Jones has battled back from having Covid over New Year. Picture by Ed Nix94-year-old Winifred Jones has battled back from having Covid over New Year. Picture by Ed Nix

Her daughter, Annette Gillibrand, 68, said: “We just thought she had a bit of a cough so I was in total shock when she caught it, we’d been very careful but it shows just how easy it is to pass on.

“It can be anything so it shows how careful we have to be, but she took it in her stride.

“She’s said all along that she’s had her life so she’s always had that attitude and gets on with it.

“We then got tested because she had tested positive and even though we didn’t have anything in the way of symptoms, both my sister and I tested positive as well as my mum’s carer.

“Then we became ill too so I basically stayed and helped mum and rested in between jobs.

“On Monday she’ll be starting her Generation Games exercise classes again on Zoom.

“They really help older people build up their core and it keeps them fit and helps with recovery from falls.”