Local priest admitted into the ICU due to coronavirus
A priest serving at a Catholic church in the east valley has been admitted into the ICU after spending several days hospitalized with coronavirus.
Father Francisco Valdovinos of Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Meccca has been in the hospital battling coronavirus since at least last week.
Last week, we reached out to a local priest about his condition and who told News Channel 3 that Valdovinos told him he was doing better. However, on Sunday, the church has announced that Valdovinos' condition has since worsened.
According to the church, Valdovinos is currently in critical condition. His condition is being monitored hourly.
Valdovinos has been active in the community since he moved to Mecca in 2018. He has been especially active in the county's efforts to get east valley residents tested.
County leaders as well as church leaders took to social media to ask for the faithful to pray for the health of Father Valdovinos.
Please keep Father Francisco Valdovinos, Pastor of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mecca, in your thoughts as he struggles with COVID19-related symptoms. He is well known in Mecca for getting community members tested for coronavirus, among his many good deeds. #RivCoNOW pic.twitter.com/vjBiCzdufc
— rivcohealthdirector (@rivcohealthdir1) December 28, 2020
Before arriving in Mecca, Valdovinos served in churches in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Florida, y Los Angeles. Valdovinos has been
Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates on Father Valdovinos' condition.
