Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 29)— A Filipino nun has died after contracting COVID-19 in Spain, her congregation confirmed Sunday.
Sr. Maria Gratia Balagat, a “superior” of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters’ Indian community, was on a trip to the European country when she caught the virus, the congregation said in its Facebook post.
“She had to return to Spain to renew her visa and while there contracted the virus,” the Missionary Benedictine wrote. “Please pray for her and for her community in India…and for the whole congregation during this difficult time.”
Balagat, 71, had been a missionary in India since 2016, according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
Spain has been the second most COVID-19-affected country in Europe, next to Italy, recording over 73,000 cases as of Sunday.
Globally, COVID-19 has infected more than 666,200 people in 177 countries including China, where the highly contagious virus first spread. Over 30,800 deaths have also been recorded.
