Catholic Health Ministries Are on the Front Lines of the Coronavirus Fight

Florida's Catholic health ministries are at the forefront of meeting the corporal and spiritual needs of their communities. Medical personnel and staff bravely put themselves at risk simply by showing up for work every day to treat people who are ill and infirm.

The BayCare Health System, which serves the Tampa area, has moved quickly to protect patients and staff and to serve the wider community during the coronavirus pandemic. St. Anthony's and St. Joseph's Hospitals are two of several local hospitals that were founded by the Allegany Franciscans and form the BayCare network. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, BayCare has converted numerous urgent care facilities to serve patients with upper respiratory symptoms. The health system also provides staffing for various testing sites, including Raymond James Stadium, where nurses and other staff work in the hot Florida sun to provide greater access to COVID-19 testing. To help community members understand the illness and protect themselves, a  resource page has been established on BayCare's website.

Ascension, with health ministries across northern Florida, is leading many of the efforts to address the virus, especially in the hard-hit western reaches of the state. The health system is also offering telehealth urgent care visits via the Ascension Health Online app, at a discounted rate of $20. St. Vincent's (Jacksonville) and Sacred Heart (Pensacola-based) are continuing their advance planning for the expected rise in the number of COVID-19 admissions.

Catholic Health Services in south Florida, with its nursing homes, assisted living and rehab facilities, has been diligently preparing for any COVID-19 infections in their facilities. Recognizing the stress of each difficult day, they are attending to the needs of patients and staff alike to help them maintain a more positive and hopeful attitude in the midst of the crisis.

Bon Secours, which operates a nursing home in St. Petersburg, continues to ensure the residents remain safe, while finding new ways for them to interact and receive personal attention while the facility is locked down.