A 101-year-old woman who contracted coronavirus in the Netherlands has recovered, offering what her hospital said was "a spark of hope."

The woman, whose name was not released, was admitted to the IJsselland Hospital near Rotterdam a week and a half ago with breathing difficulties and tested positive for coronavirus.

She was kept in isolation but has now recovered enough to leave hospital. The centenarian, who lives independently, will rest in a nursing home before returning to her home, the hospital said on its website.

"She is a tough lady, and it’s great to see her following the medical advice, like sneezing in her elbow and even telling me to keep a proper distance," pulmonologist Sunil Ramlal said.

Experts say those who are above 65 years old or have a weak immune system are more vulnerable to the new type of coronavirus, however, there have been a number of examples of elderly people recovering from the disease caused by the virus, sparking hope.

Most recently, it was reported that a 101-year-old Italian man who survived the Spanish flu pandemic in the 1910s had successfully recovered from the deadly new coronavirus.