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Catholic response issued regarding outbreak of coronavirus

News of the Diocese

February 20, 2020

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, continues to cause concern with more than 75,000 cases – most in China – reported throughout the world. The Centers for Disease Control confirmed 15 cases in the United States as of this week. The death toll surpassed 2,100 worldwide.

Catholic response issued regarding outbreak of coronavirus
Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace; Sean Callahan, president of Catholic Relief Services; and Sister Mary Haddad, RSM, president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, issued a statement on Feb. 18 addressing the Catholic response to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

“As communities and public health officials respond to the outbreak of novel coronavirus in China and closely monitor its presence and progression in other parts of the world, we join in solidarity and prayer for those impacted or working to treat those infected by the disease. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services, and the Catholic Health Association of the United States hope that governments will work together in partnership to improve all nations’ capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to this virus,” they said.

The statement reads:

“The Catholic Church in the United States stands in solidarity with those affected by the coronavirus and their families, health workers who are valiantly trying to diagnose and treat patients, and those under quarantine awaiting results of their screening for the virus. We offer our prayers for healing and support those organizations, both domestic and international, working to provide medical supplies and assistance to address this serious risk to public health.

“In early February, the Holy See sent 700,000 respiratory masks to China to help prevent the spread of the disease. Within the United States, Catholic healthcare providers are at the front line of providing treatment and care to those impacted by the virus.

“We also commend the U.S. government for transporting more than 17 tons of donated medical supplies to China. This response to the novel coronavirus demonstrates the critical importance of the need to work together and to invest in crucial health care systems here and in other countries, thus preventing and responding to community-wide emergencies. We urge the U.S. Congress to support these efforts by protecting access to domestic health care safety net programs and by providing additional emergency international assistance to areas impacted by the virus.

“We also urge individuals to stay informed as information becomes available by going to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.”

Coronavirus cases have been reported in more than two dozen countries and on a cruise ship. In China, thousands of people were confined to their homes in an effort to stem the spread of the coronaviruses, which are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. There are reports that in some at-risk areas (not in the U.S.), church services – including Catholic Masses – have been suspended to help stem the spread of the disease.

Coronaviruses can be transmitted between animals and people, health officials said. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Although the risk to the public in the U.S. is considered low by the CDC, health officials recommend following standard protocols to prevent infection spread including regular hand washing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Health officials also recommend avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.

The CDC said it considers risk to the general public in the U.S. to be low with the flu considered a bigger problem. However, health officials continue to advise that people follow the precautions listed above.

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