People at 4 Syracuse area churches may have been exposed to coronavirus – syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. People attending services at four Syracuse area churches may have been exposed to the coronavirus by infected congregants, some of whom were not wearing face masks.

The Onondaga County Health Department said the potential exposures occurred at:

First Ukrainian Pentecostal Church, 3875 Warners Road, Syracuse on Sunday, Aug. 2 at the 9 a.m. and noon services;

St. Patricks Church, 216 North Lowell Ave., Syracuse on Saturday, Aug. 8 at the 4 p.m. service.

Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 2656 Warner Road, Warners on Sunday, Aug. 9 at the 9 a.m. service;

Herald of Joy Evangelical Church, 3994 Split Rock Road, Camillus on Sunday, Aug. 9 at the 10 a.m. service.

The infected individual at Herald of Joy was wearing a mask, but the infected individuals at the three other churches did not have masks on, the department said.

Health Department investigators are in the process of identifying all close contacts of the individuals and notifying them. Members of the public who attended the services may have been exposed and should monitor themselves for symptoms of coronavirus for 14 days from the date of the service.

If symptoms do develop, stay home, and call your doctor for further guidance. If you are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised, call your doctor early even if your illness is mild. In an emergency, call 911. Testing is also widely available, and anyone can get tested for COVID-19 by calling their healthcare provider or visiting the drive-thru clinic at Syracuse Community Health Center.

Attendees of services must be required to wear face coverings at all times and maintain a distance of at least six feet between individuals unless they are members of the same household. It is recommended that all services have a sign-in sheet for attendees to provide contact information including name, address and phone number for the purpose of notification and contact tracing if there is a potential exposure of coronavirus.

The health department said it is critical that congregants stay home if they are sick.

James T. Mulder covers health news. Have a news tip? Contact him at (315) 470-2245 or jmulder@syracuse.com

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People at 4 Syracuse area churches may have been exposed to coronavirus - syracuse.com