SC church reports no new coronavirus cases after congregation exposed
A church that closed its doors after worshipers were exposed to coronavirus several weeks go reports no new cases of COVID-19 have appeared among its members.
The pastor of First Baptist Church of North said no members of the congregation have tested positive for the virus after two weeks of quarantine, after someone who attended a service in late May later tested positive for COVID-19.
“I’ve been hoping and praying that after two weeks we would be able to make this announcement,” Pastor Sean McElrath said in a video shared on the church’s Facebook page. “There’s not one single member who has the coronavirus, and we give glory to God today.”
The church in the small Orangeburg County town of North had closed its doors after it learned members had been exposed to the virus, just weeks after the church had reopened for regular Sunday services.
About 40 people attended services at the church on May 24, about three weeks after the church reopened from its initial coronavirus closure. Two days later, the church announced it would close its doors again and encouraged anyone who attended to quarantine themselves. McElrath earlier told The State that the individual did not display any symptoms at the time.
Coronavirus usually has an incubation period of around 14 days.
McElrath said in his video that no date has been set yet for when First Baptist might resume in-person services again.
Church services have been a flash point in debates over social distancing since the coronavirus outbreak. Unlike in other states, houses of worship in South Carolina were never required to close their doors.
Executive orders issued by Gov. Henry McMaster exempted worship services from orders limiting gatherings of three or more people, and Attorney General Alan Wilson has issued opinions that religious and political gatherings are exempt from restrictions on First Amendment grounds.
But health experts warn that any large gathering risks spreading the coronavirus, and urge everyone to continue to practice social distancing and other precautions.
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 3:59 PM.
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