Fifteen cases of COVID-19, already in the count for Livingston County have been traced to a church service. Livingston County Health Center says the 15 symptomatic cases are from the congregation of Turning Point Church. All 15 are included in the 86 total cases and 13 active cases reported on the Health Center’s site.
Health Center Director Sherry Weldon says gatherings present a risk for increasing spread of COVID-19. The health center is urging local churches to promote preventive health measures like seating congregants 6 feet apart, encouraging the use of face coverings, making hand soap and sanitizer readily available, regularly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces in their buildings and urging members to stay home if they are sick, even if symptoms aren’t serious
Weldon also wanted to assure the public that local churches are not being targeted, and the Health Center respects everyone’s right to worship as they choose. “Risks of contracting COVID-19 increases with any type of gathering where social distancing can’t be maintained.” She says they’ve had multiple cases come from various types of large gatherings including prom and graduation, the risk is definitely not limited to church services.
