Coronavirus fears lead Holy Land Catholic churches to give communion by hand only

Roman Catholic authorities in Jerusalem have instructed their priests to give co...

South Korea Closes Churches as Coronavirus Tally Passes 3500

US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.

Coronavirus: South Korea churches halt services as cases soar

Catholic churches are closed across the country, which is battling the worst outbreak outside China.

Churches shuttered as South Korea battles coronavirus

Amid the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside China, churches across South Korea were empty on Sunday with some holding online services and the country's Catholic Church halting mass for the first time in its 236-year history.

Louvre Museum shuttered in Paris as coronavirus outbreak spreads

PARIS - Coronavirus cases surged in Italy, and France closed the world-famous Louvre Museum on Sunday as the deadly outbreak that began in China sent fear rising across Western Europe, threatening its tourism industry. The number of countries hit by the virus climbed past 60, and the death toll worldwide neared 3,000. New fronts in the battle opened rapidly over the weekend, deepening the sense of crisis that has already sent financial markets plummeting, emptied the streets in many cities and rewritten the routines of millions of people. More than 87,500 around the globe have been infected, with the virus popping up on every continent but Antarctica. Australia and Thailand reported their first deaths Sunday, while the Dominican Republic and the Czech Republic recorded their first infections. Italian authorities announced that the number of people infected in the country soared 50% to more than 1,600 in just 24 hours, and five more had died, bringing the death toll there to 34. The U.S. government advised Americans against traveling to the two northern Italian regions hit hardest, among them Lombardy, which includes Milan. Major American airlines began suspending flights to Milan. The travel restrictions against Italy and the rising alarm in France could deal a heavy blow to the tourism industries. Spring, especially Easter, is a hugely popular time for schoolchildren to visit France and Italy. "We had already registered a slowdown of Americans coming to Italy in recent days," said Bernabo Bocca, president of Italy's hotel association. "Now, the final blow has arrived." Iran, Iraq and South Korea, among other places, also saw the number of infections rise. Panic-buying of daily necessities emerged in Japan. Tourist attractions across Asia, Europe and the...

Churches take new precautions amid coronavirus concerns

With more cases of coronavirus announced Sunday, some churches are making changes designed to better protect parishioners. The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, which serves San Bernardino and Riverside counties, announced that parishes have the option "to implement liturgical restrictions that are allowed during the annual flu season," according to a letter from the Office of the ...

Catholic churches in Holy Land to give communion by hand due to coronavirus

Coronavirus affecting U.S. churches missionaries

Coronavirus updates: Churches ban drinking communion wine and shaking hands over coronavirus fears

When Catholics give up habits this time of year, it's usually for Lent. This time, it's for coronavirus.

UPDATE: Michigan hospitals churches take precautions against coronavirus

The hospital is taking the threat of the coronavirus seriously.

Catholic Churches Making Difficult Changes Due To Coronavirus Concerns

STERLING HEIGHTS (WWJ) - It'll be tough, one leader says, but they need to be smart. Local Catholic churches are making some difficult choices and changes due to concerns over the new Coronavirus, COVID-19. In emails sent to area priests and Catholic schools, Archdiocese of Detroit leadership asks that parishioners not attend mass if they're sick or have flu-like symptoms, and noted that certain elements of the mass may also be modified. Deacon...

Churches stop wine Muslims discouraged from Mecca journey. Coronavirus hits religion

Lucy Jackson has always enjoyed the camaraderie and the rituals of her Catholic religion. So much so, she regularly goes to two churches near her Kendall home: St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church or John Neumann Catholic Church.

Coronavirus leads Chicago-area Catholic churches to change Mass practices

CHICAGO - As hospitals, schools and businesses prepare to deal with the spread of coronavirus, the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago released guidelines for parishioners concerned about the potential spread of the disease. Effective immediately, all priests, deacons, altar servers and ministers in parishes in the archdiocese must wash their hands before the beginning of Mass. Those distributing ...

Estonian churches also preparing for spread of coronavirus

Churches in Estonia are preparing for the possible spread of the novel coronavirus. They are stocking up on face masks, advising people avoid shaking hands and offering everyone opportunities to disinfect their hands. Church representatives are nonetheless stressing that there is no need for panic, and that church services will not be canceled.

Churches take precautions as WHO warns disease caused by coronavirus now deadlier than flu

Churches and other religious groups are now ramping up measures to protect their congregants from the Covid-19 disease caused by the new coronavirus as the World Health Organization warned Tuesday that it's now deadlier than the flu.

U.S. churches making changes in response to coronavirus

Numerous Catholic dioceses are suspending the serving of wine during Communion.