Grace Assembly Of God Senior Pastor & NUS Professor Among Confirmed Cases Linked To 2nd Church Cluster
Church is a sacred place for many. People attend service seeking inner peace and calm, letting their spirits recharge as they ready themselves for the week ahead, or reflect on the week that’s passed.
Unfortunately for the Gracians of Grace Assembly of God Church, they won’t be able to go to church until the end of the month.
Yesterday (13 Feb), it was confirmed by the Ministry Of Health (MOH) that 7 of the 58 confirmed cases in Singapore so far were linked to the cluster at the Grace Assembly Of God church.
Among them are a professor at National University of Singapore (NUS), as well as a senior pastor from the church, Wilson Teo.
NUS professor allegedly had no recent contact with students
The NUS professor is Singapore’s case 53 of Covid-19.
According to MOH’s report, the 53-year old had no recent travel history to China. He is thought to have been infected at the church cluster.
He stayed at his home in Hillview Avenue once he started experiencing onset symptoms on 10 Feb. Later on 12 Feb, he visited the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and was isolated immediately.
His test results returned positive that afternoon.
MOH reports that the professor claims to have had “no recent contact with students” since he started experiencing symptoms of Covid-19.
NUS told TODAY Online that the professor from the School of Design and Environment had not been in contact with students since 5 Feb.
Senior pastor apologises for adding concern to congregation
Senior pastor of Grace Assembly of God, Wilson Teo, announced to his community that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been warded since 11 Feb.
Take a look at his announcement below.
In the notice, Reverend Teo assures Gracians that the church will overcome this “very difficult time”.
He encouraged them to continue with their daily activities and lives “as normally as (they) can”, and urged them to see a doctor immediately should they feel unwell.
Unfortunately, he had to inform them that he had also contracted Covid-19, apologising for “adding another concern”.
However, he kept their spirits up, reassuring them that he was “recovering well” and reminding them to trust in their religion to lead them through this time.
The church has suspended operations for until 29 Feb in light of the cluster.
2nd church with a cluster of infections
Grace Assembly of God is the second church to house a cluster of Covid-19 infections.
Last Saturday (8 Feb), The Life Church and Missions Paya Lebar was identified as the source of a cluster that infected 5 people.
Grace Assembly of God’s assistant communications manager told The Straits Times (ST) that the church is prioritising the safety of its community for the time being. As such, all church activities will be put on pause until 29 Feb.
ST reported that both of the church’s branches at Tanglin and Bukit Batok were undergoing disinfection and deep cleaning.
Supportive community key to overcoming Covid-19
It’s unfortunate that a place of solace for many housed a cluster of infections.
Sadly, with such a large group of people congregating in an enclosed area, it’s expected that this would occur.
We hope the church community will be able to help each other through this dark period. At least they have their religion and the congregation to lean on for support.
Singaporeans have shown that supporting each other through this difficult time is the best way to get through it. Let’s all work together and do our part to stay hygienic and healthy until this blows over.
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Featured image adapted from Home and Decor Singapore.
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