St Corona the Catholic "patron of pandemics''

RELIGION

With world death cases as a result of coronavirus exceeding 10,000 people, some Catholic are seeking spiritual solace during the coronavirus pandemic are turning to St Corona who is believed to be a patron saint of plagues and epidemics.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19. In severe cases, timely supportive therapy is key , which includes oxygen, hydration and fever, and pain relief.

The whole world is in the middle of the novel Coronavirus pandemic with many scientists struggling to develop a vaccine against it.

By March 20, the coronavirus infection had surpassed 200,000 cases worldwide, while the death toll has topped 10,000 as of March 20, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

The virus outbreak has also disrupted the daily life of millions of people all over the globe.

In Uganda, like in many parts of the World, religious gatherings, sports activities, markets, entertainment, and social events, among others, have all been forbidden.

Even the Vatican, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, is under temporary shutdown as the virus continues to ravage Italy.

Did you know there is a saint called St. Corona?

St. Corona and St. Victor, a Roman soldier were tortured and killed around 170 AD at the order of a Roman judge, according to an account that dates to the 4th century.

When Corona, who was the wife of another soldier heard of the cruel treatment towards Victor, she decided to help him.

The 16-year-old, who had kept her Christian faith as a secret till then publicly announced it.

However, she was also arrested and was tied to the tops of two palm trees bent down to the ground. Later, the ropes she was tied to were cut following which her body was ripped in half.

Their feast day is May 14, according to the Roman Martyrology, the Catholic Church's official list of recognized saints and people who have been beatified.

Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Corona means "crown" in Latin.

While several Catholic publications in recent days have connected St. Corona to the coronavirus outbreak, sources including Catholic Online identify her as the patron saint of gambling.