In response to COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, the Felician Sisters of North America are limiting visitors to convents with sisters who have respiratory concerns, as is common during flu season, and encouraging employees who suspect they may have symptoms of coronavirus to speak with Sr. Noel Marie Gabriel, director of clinical health services, or their clinical professional.

Standards of infection control relating to the support of the health, sanitation and other types of service delivery to the sisters as well as to the employees in the province’s convents have been and continue to be followed.

At this time, work travel is being handled on a case-by-case basis according to the situation at each location.

Although the World Health Organization declared the illness a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11, the risk of transmission of the virus for most of the American public is still considered low, and there is not widespread circulation in most communities in the United States. As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, 938 people in 39 U.S. states have contracted coronavirus, with 29 deaths reported.

Symptoms of coronavirus infection include fever, cough and shortness of breath, which appear 2-14 days after exposure. Anyone who develops these symptoms and has been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or who has recently traveled from an area with widespread diagnosis of COVID-19 is asked to contact Sr. Noel or their clinical professional.

All Sisters and employees are encouraged to continue good health practices to prevent the spread of this and other infections:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water,
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze,
• Stay home if you’re sick, and
• Avoid direct contact with those who are ill.

For more information on the coronavirus, please visit the CDC website.

The province will continue to monitor the situation and will share any appropriate updates or recommendations.