Coronavirus: 13 nuns die after COVID-19 spreads through Michigan convent ‘like wildfire’

LIVONIA, Mich. — Thirteen nuns of the Felician Sisters convent in Livonia have died of COVID-19 complications since a month-long outbreak began.

A spokeswoman for the Felician Sisters of North America confirmed to CBS News that 17 nuns who contracted the virus have recovered, but the virus-related deaths represented 22% of the convent’s residents.

According to the Global Sisters Report, an outlet of the National Catholic Reporter publishing company, the nuns who died ranged in age from 69 to 99 and included teachers, an author and a secretary in the Vatican Secretariat of State.

Twelve of the Livonia nuns died between April 10 and May 10, and the 13th, who appeared to be recovering, succumbed June 27, MLive reported.

The 13 deaths “may be the worst loss of life to a community of women religious since the 1918 influenza pandemic,” Global Sisters Report stated.

“I first heard two aides had contracted the virus. We don’t know who they are, and we don’t want to know. Then it hit sisters on the second floor, and it went through like wildfire,” Sister Andrew told the outlet.

According to MLive, the Felician Sisters convent is officially named the “Congregation of Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi (CSSF).” The sisters are located on a campus with Madonna University next to St. Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital.

Meanwhile, at least 19 other nuns have died of COVID-related complications in the United States as of July 16, Global Sisters Report stated.

Cox Media Group