‘I am the individual’: DC priest with coronavirus reportedly gave communion in services for over 500

Mary Margaret Olohan, DCNF

SRINAGAR, KASHMIR, INDIA - DECEMBER 25: A Priest gives communion wafers to Christians in the Holy Family Catholic Church during Christmas mass on December 25, 2015 in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian- administered Kashmir. The disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir has a minuscule population of Christians, hundreds of whom join mass at the Holy Family Catholic church on Christmas and pray for peace and prosperity of the region.(Photo by Yawar Nazir/Getty Images) — (Photo by Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)

A Washington, D.C., priest has been diagnosed with coronavirus after attending church services with more than 500 people.
All services at Christ Church, Georgetown have been suspended.
“I can now confirm that I am the individual who tested positive for the Coronavirus,” Rev. Timothy Cole said in a statement Sunday.

A priest in Washington, D.C., has been diagnosed with coronavirus after reportedly giving communion to more than 500 worshipers.

Rev. Timothy Cole attended at least three services at Christ Church Georgetown in Washington, D.C., between Feb. 24 and March 3. according to CBS affiliate WUSA. Services at the church were canceled Sunday, CBS News’ Nancy Chen reported, and the church is attended by “many government officials and prominent Washingtonians.”

BREAKING: DC mayor asking everyone who attended Christ Church in Georgetown to self-quarantine for 14 days from the last time they visited. Church rector was the first DC coronavirus patient. Officials say it could be "several hundred people" who potentially interacted with him.

— Nancy Chen (@NancyChenNews) March 9, 2020

BREAKING: A D.C. priest has Coronavirus. He offered communion and shook hands with more than 500 worshippers last week and on February 24th. All worshippers who visited the Christ Church in Georgetown must self-quarantine. Church is cancelled for the first time since the 1800's

— Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) March 9, 2020

D.C. Mayor Murial Bowser announced Monday that those who attended the services should self-quarantine as they might have been exposed to the virus.

“Visitors to Christ Church, Georgetown Episcopal on Feb 24th, and between Feb 28th and Mar 3rd could’ve been exposed to COVID-19, and DC Health recommends that anyone who visited on those dates isolate themselves at home for 14 days from the last time they visited the church,” Bowser announced in a Monday morning tweet.

The mayor’s office also emphasized in a statement that D.C. Health recommends anyone who visited the church should self-isolate, not go to work or school, use public transit or ride-sharing, or attend any large or public gatherings.

Visitors to Christ Church, Georgetown Episcopal on Feb 24th, and between Feb 28th and Mar 3rd could've been exposed to COVID-19, and DC Health recommends that anyone who visited on those dates isolate themselves at home for 14 days from the last time they visited the church.

— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) March 9, 2020

Cole said in a March 8 statement posted on the church’s website that the church had “suspended all services and meetings at Christ Church.”

“As we said before, we did not make the decision to close our doors lightly, but out of an abundance of caution for the most vulnerable among us,” Cole added. “There is no need to panic. Following sensible precautions provided by the CDC will go a long way towards insuring the good health of our community.”

Cole also confirmed that he was the first patient in D.C. to be diagnosed with coronavirus.

“I can now confirm that I am the individual who tested positive for the Coronavirus,” he said, adding that he will “be okay” is “receiving excellent care,” and is “in good spirits under the circumstances.”

“I will remain quarantined for the next 14 days as will the rest of my family,” the priest added.

The Clergy and Wardens of Christ Church, Georgetown had issued a statement the previous day in which they let worshipers know that all services would be canceled Sunday and urged parishioners to alert one another.

“God is with us. And, God’s message is clear: ‘Do not fear,’” the statement said. “Fear can be a right and natural response, one that can lead us to take appropriate actions to the benefit of those most vulnerable. And, it is a response that may be difficult to control. But, we cannot let fear overwhelm us or consume us. Not one of us is alone while we have each other. Not one of us is alone, because God walks with us.”

Christ Church, Georgetown did not yet respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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