Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: Pastor, 2 Parishioners At East Liberty Church Test Positive For COVID-19
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The pastor and two parishioners from Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty are in self-isolation after testing positive for coronavirus.
Sheldon Sorge, General Minister to Pittsburgh Presbytery, tells KDKA's Meghan Schiller that everyone on staff at the church is also isolating for a two-week period after possibly coming in contact with Pastor Paul Roberts before he experienced the onset of symptoms.
The church last met on Sunday March 8 and Sorge tells KDKA that's when Pastor Paul Roberts and the two parishioners gathered together. The three were asymptomatic at that time, he said.
The church posted signs on all of the entrances that read "effective immediately: all services and activities are cancelled until further notice."
Pastor Paul, as he's known by his congregants, posted a video to Facebook on March 17 and said he appreciates everyone's prayers and is doing well in isolation.
Eastminster Presbyterian is closed for the foreseeable future.
Sorge also tells KDKA's Meghan Schiller that the Presbyterian leaders have encouraged all Presbyterian churches in Pittsburgh, in addition to Eastminster, to go "digital" and live stream services for the time being to keep everyone safe.
KDKA's Meghan Schiller talked to Pastor Paul Roberts, who says he's feeling better and is thankful he could get tested.
She asked him how he's passing the time.
"I'm supposed to try to rest, which has been difficult," he says. "And I'm preparing for the different church things we're still going to keep doing online. And I'll be online tonight at 7 with my congregation so on my church Facebook page."
He has about one more week in isolation.
He's updating his parishioners about how he's feeling on Facebook and tells KDKA's Meghan Schiller the health department has reached out to all of the people who worship here — who could soon experience their own symptoms.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.
