2nd Catholic priest in diocese that includes Richland and Kennewick has coronavirus

A second Catholic priest in Eastern Washington has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The Rev. Jose de Jesus “Chu” Ramirez, a senior priest serving at the Desert Parish in Mattawa in Grant County, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, said Bishop Joseph J. Tyson.

He shared a residence with the Rev. Alejandro “Alex” Trejo, who tested positive for the coronavirus on March 15. Trejo is the pastor of the parish in Mattawa.

Tyson said he is considering closing Catholic churches in the Diocese of Yakima for at least the next two weeks and urging parishioners to stay home and receive spiritual care through online resources.

Public Masses in the Diocese of Yakima already have been suspended.

Catholic churches in Richland, Kennewick, Prosser and Benton City — but not Pasco — are part of the Diocese of Yakima.

Grant County has had clusters of cases in Mattawa and in Quincy, where an elderly man died of COVID-19. The Washington state Department of Health reports that Grant County had at least 18 coronavirus cases.

Grant County Public Health is asking resident to call or text their friends and neighbors to check on them.

“Many in our community are scared or need help,” it said in a statement.

Ramirez, 69, has had only mild cold- and flu-like symptoms, according to the diocese.

He was ordered by the Grant County Health district a week ago to remain in isolation until 72 hours after his symptoms are gone, which could be Tuesday.

However, the bishop has asked him to continue to stay home and rest, for fear he could be more susceptible to other illnesses as the cold and flu season continues.

Parishioners have been bringing him food, while following recommended social distancing guidelines.

The Grant County Health District has been reaching out to those who might have come into contact with Ramirez when he may have been infectious over the last month or so.

Trejo was treated in the intensive care unit of Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland for 11 days after developing pneumonia from the novel coronavirus. He was released from the hospital Wednesday.

“He continues to recover slowly at a private residence in Yakima, with skilled nursing care,” the diocese said in a statement Sunday. “He is in good spirits and communicating with his parishioners through social media.”

Tyson thanked parishioners for their prayers for Ramirez and Trejo, and reminded them of the importance of taking steps to limit the spread of coronavirus.

“We all must do our part to heed the social distancing and hygiene measures that health experts tell us are needed at this time in order to manage this health crisis well,” Tyson said.

This story was originally published March 22, 2020 at 4:04 PM.