x
Breaking News
More () »

St. Luke's Catholic Church employee dies of coronavirus, per church officials

Laurie Ramirez passed away Tuesday morning. The church announced last week she had tested positive for COVID-19.
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Christmas advent candle light in church with blurry golden bokeh for religious ritual or spiritual zen meditation, peaceful mind and soul, or funeral ceremony

SAN ANTONIO — An employee with St. Luke's Catholic Church has passed away from coronavirus, according to church officials. 

In a post on the church's official Facebook page, church officials explained that the employee, 44-year-old Laurie Ramirez, was the same person the church had informed the community of last Friday. "After we informed the St. Luke Community last Friday that a church employee had tested positive for COVID-19, we received many responses." 

Ramirez reportedly passed away on Tuesday morning "from her battle with the virus," the post reads. The city confirmed the death later in the day, saying she passed away at University Hospital, where she was being treated.  

Archbishop Gustavo responded to Ramirez's death, saying, "I offer my deepest condolences and prayers to the family of the St. Luke’s employee who has passed away after being diagnosed with COVID-19. We know that God is always with us, even in these dark times of suffering."

The City of San Antonio has only reported one death from coronavirus as of Tuesday evening. A woman in her 80s was being treated at Brooke Army Medical Center when she passed away on Saturday, March 21.

An official GoFundMe has been set up for Ramirez's family in the aftermath of her passing.  

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, 69 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Bexar County; 715 positive tests have been confirmed in the state.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

Before You Leave, Check This Out