Nine nuns in Michigan die of coronavirus at retirement home

Nine nuns in Michigan have died this month after a coronavirus outbreak in a retirement home, according to multiple reports.

The outbreak at the Adrian Dominican Sisters in Adrian comes after the nuns’ order went nine months without any coronavirus cases among resident sisters, according to a statement shared with The Hill.

The first person on the campus to test positive for COVID-19 was tested in December, and since then more than 46 sisters among 217 residents have done so. Twelve of the cases are still active, and 25 are recovering.

“The care and safety of our Sisters and Co-workers have been and remain our primary concern,” the statement reads. “We continue to practice stringent protocols, including dedicated floors for COVID-19 patients, quarantines within our living communities, and weekly testing of all residents and Co-workers to mitigate further spread of the virus.”

Residents began receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 15 through vaccination clinics set up at the Lenawee County Health Department, the statement said.

Sister Patricia Siemen, leader of the order, told The Associated Press that the nuns ranged in age from 79 to 97.

COVID-19 has caused the deaths of dozens of retired or infirm nuns in congregate settings, the AP noted. The news outlet previously reported that eight nuns in Milwaukee died of COVID-19 complications in one week in December.

—Updated at 5:14 p.m.