D.C. pastor tests positive for coronavirus, as health officials struggle to stop its spread
The pastor of a Catholic church on Capitol Hill who urged people not to “cower in fear” of the novel coronavirus has contracted covid-19, the disease the virus causes, prompting D.C. health officials to tell about 250 staff and parishioners to self-quarantine for two weeks.
Monsignor Charles Pope of Holy Comforter St. Cyprian Catholic Church on East Capitol Street was admitted to the hospital on July 27 after experiencing a high fever. He tested positive for the coronavirus after a rapid diagnostic test that afternoon.
On Friday, the D.C. health department issued a letter saying that “additional individuals have been identified as having been exposed to the virus.” Parishioners who participated in Communion at the church — the Catholic ritual of sharing wafers and wine or grape juice — between July 25 and July 27 were told to stay home for 14 days and monitor themselves for symptoms.
City health officials did not respond to questions Sunday about whether they had contacted parishioners and told them to quarantine before Friday, or whether other members of the church have tested positive for the coronavirus.
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