The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed that individuals who attended services at four local churches have tested positive for COVID-19. The potential exposures occurred at the following church services:
First Ukrainian Pentecostal Church, 3875 Warners Road, Syracuse
Sunday, August 2, 9:00 am service and 12:00 noon service
The individual attending service was not wearing a mask
St. Patrick’s Church, 216 North Lowell Avenue, Syracuse
Saturday, August 8, 4:00 pm service
The individual attending service was wearing a mask [CORRECTED]
Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 2656 Warner Road, Warners
Sunday, August 9, 9:00 am service
The individual attending service was not wearing a mask
Herald of Joy Evangelical Church, 3994 Split Rock Road, Camillus
Sunday, August 9, 10:00 am service
The individual attending service was wearing a mask
Health Department investigators are in the process of identifying all close contacts of the individuals and notifying them. Members of the public who attended the services listed may have been exposed and should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the date of the service. If symptoms do develop, stay home, and call your doctor for further guidance. If you are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised, call your doctor early even if your illness is mild. In an emergency call 911. Testing is also widely available, and anyone can get tested for COVID-19 by calling their healthcare provider or visiting the drive-thru clinic at Syracuse Community Health Center.
With more faith communities reopening for in-person services, it is important that leadership stays up to date with all guidance to reduce the risk of exposures to COVID-19. It is critical that congregants are asked to stay home if they are sick. Attendees of services must be required to wear face coverings at all times and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between individuals (unless members of the same household). It is recommended that all services have a sign-in sheet for attendees to provide contact information including name, address, and phone number for the purpose of notification and contact tracing if there is a potential exposure of COVID -19. In addition, faith communities should educate congregants about the steps they can take to protect themselves at work and at home.
It is crucial that residents be diligent and continue to do their part to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Information and guidance related to COVID-19 changes daily. We are continually updating our website, covid19.ongov.net to provide easy access to accurate and timely local information. Also regularly visit the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites for statewide and national updates about COVID-19.