UPDATE:
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
Washington, D.C.
The rector of Christ Church Georgetown has tested positive for the Coronavirus. He was the first known case in the nation’s capital. The Rev. Timothy Cole presided over communion the Sunday prior to testing. He had attended a recent meeting of the Consortium Endowed Episcopal Churches. Sunday services were canceled yesterday.
What should parishioner’s do? In a message (posted in full below) to parishioners, Cole writes:
The obvious question at this point is what you should do. First, please read the information provided on the CDC’s website, linked here. If we are given any firm advice by public health officials, we will pass it to the Christ Church community as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have been asked to let parishioners know that should you experience any symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider.
Again, information from the CDC is here.
In a message to participants, CEEP wrote:
We are also monitoring the recommendations given to organizers of other conferences where attendees have tested positive. So far, their expert opinion has been that simply attending a conference with someone who tests positive is not a risk factor. Please refer to the guidance given by D.C. health officials to the attendees at the recent AIPAC Policy conference where two attendees tested positive for COVID-19.
If you develop symptoms that are associated with COVID-19, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Cole fell ill shortly after attending an Episcopal conference in Louisville on Feb. 22, church spokesman Rob Volmer said. His health improved before he attended church events last weekend, including four services attended by 550 people March 1.
Cole provided Communion to parishioners during the 11:15 a.m. service, Volmer said, and washed his hands before doing so.
Cole, who did not appear to show symptoms then, had been vigilant about using hand sanitizer available throughout the church and washing his hands, and had spent part of his services reminding parishioners about good hygiene practices, Volmer said.
But Cole’s health deteriorated after Sunday, and he was diagnosed with the flu on Tuesday, Volmer said. He was admitted to a hospital Thursday, and a coronavirus test came back positive Saturday.
The church provided the Washington Post with this timeline:
An updated timeline from the church. Big difference was clarifying that rector fell ill shortly after conference, but was not formally diagnosed with flu pic.twitter.com/A1dIzr2OHt
— Fenit Nirappil (@FenitN) March 8, 2020
A letter from the Rev. Timothy Cole, Christ Church Georgetown:
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Dear friends in Christ,
As you are now aware, we have suspended all services and meetings at Christ Church until further notice in response to a presumed positive case of Coronavirus in our community. 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. 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.
I can now confirm that I am the individual who tested positive for the Coronavirus.
First, I want to assure you that I will be okay. I am receiving excellent care and am in good spirits under the circumstances. I will remain quarantined for the next 14 days as will the rest of my family.
Many of you will want to speak by phone or email; however, at this time, rest is what I need most, and it will be difficult for me to respond. Should you have any situations requiring pastoral care, please do contact ….
The obvious question at this point is what you should do. First, please read the information provided on the CDC’s website, linked here. If we are given any firm advice by public health officials, we will pass it to the Christ Church community as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have been asked to let parishioners know that should you experience any symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider.
Faithfully,
Father Tim
The Reverend Timothy A. R. Cole, Rector