Leadership statement: OUTBREAK of COVID-19 at Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods

At this time, the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, are dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 among sisters and residents who reside in the long-term care unit of their health-care center.

Currently, all of the sisters and other residents who have tested positive have been isolated in a special unit of Providence Health Care (PHC), are being monitored on a consistent basis and receiving appropriate therapies ordered by the PHC medical director. The Sisters of Providence sponsor the health-care center.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Congregation has had a COVID-19 task force in place to monitor protocols regarding the virus in cooperation with the Indiana State Department of Health, Vigo County Health Department, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Recently, all the sisters who reside in the health-care center received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine. The second shot is scheduled for next week. Other sisters who reside on campus and SP staff received their first dose this past week.

We ask that people continue to pray for all people who have been afflicted with this virus and affected by the pandemic. As people of faith, we hope and pray that additional vaccines and therapies will be developed so that all people can receive the treatment they need to both prevent the disease and to recover from it should they contract it. As our foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, said: “Have confidence in the Providence that so far has never failed us.”