Maureen Appleby says she always wanted to be a movie star, and at the age of 94 she finally got her chance — but realised it was probably not for her.

With television cameras in tow, doctors and nurses lined Melbourne's Austin Hospital exit on Wednesday afternoon as Ms Appleby was wheeled out, having successfully beaten a bout of COVID-19.

"I couldn't believe what they did. I don't know where those people came from," she said of the glamorous farewell.

"When they did it and did it two or three more times I said 'I don't want to be a movie star'."

Ms Appleby spent about a week at the Austin being treated for the virus, but her health problems began several weeks earlier when she fell in the bathroom and fractured four ribs.

At the time, her son John had been experiencing head and body aches, but said hospital staff had refused him a coronavirus test because he had not been showing serious enough symptoms.

When Ms Appleby's body temperature soared to 44 degrees she was tested and found to have coronavirus.

Soon after, Mr Appleby received the same diagnosis and was ordered to self-isolate at home.

Doctors, nurses praised for 'wonderful' work

Experts say the elderly are the most vulnerable of dying from COVID-19, which has so far claimed more 130,000 lives worldwide.

But Ms Appleby said she never feared death.

"You've got to take what life hands you, haven't you?" she told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"The doctors and nurses were wonderful. They treated you as you were someone special. Their attention was A1.

"It's a bit lonely because you can't talk to your family. You can't see anyone."

'I feel like I can go on for many more years'

Having lived through World War II, Ms Appleby has seen plenty of notable events in her life.

But she said the way life has changed dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic can not be compared to wartime.

"It's very different. It's pretty strange, actually," she said.

Ms Appleby and her son John are now back at their home in Rosanna, east of Melbourne, and are on the mend.

"I feel quite good. I feel like I can go for many more years yet," she said.

"I've just got to get a bit stronger in the legs and walking a bit more."

At times, Mr Appleby said he thought he would die during his battle with COVID-19.

But he too is now in the clear and expects to be back to full health in a few days.

"My main advice is protect yourself and don't get it. You really don't want it," he said.