A report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said the cardinal, who lives in Rome and is prefect emeritus of the Apostolic Signatura, became ill while visiting Wisconsin, where he was raised.
Amid rumors that he was seriously ill, the 73-year-old cardinal confirmed Aug. 10 that he had tested positive for Covid-19, tweeting: "Thanks be to God, I am resting comfortably and receiving excellent medical care. Please pray for me as I begin my recovery. Let us trust in Divine Providence. God bless you."
An Aug. 17 press release from a Catholic shrine in Wisconsin said Cardinal Burke "remains in serious, but stable condition."
The update about Burke's health was published by Fr. Paul N. Check, the executive director of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on the shrine's website.
"His family, who with a team of doctors, is responsible for all medical decisions while the Cardinal remains sedated and on a medical ventilator, has great confidence in the care he is receiving," the update stated. "The Cardinal has received the Sacraments from priests nearby to him. There are several relics in his room."
The press release added that Burke's family has requested that public updates about the cardinal's health be given only when there are significant changes in his condition. It said the only authorized platforms for "accurate, timely information" are the cardinal's personal social media accounts and the website of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.