BARTOW, Ga. — A local church that has been tied to coronavirus cases in Bartow County has requested that attendees of two recent services self-quarantine in case they may have caught the contagious virus.
Senior Pastor Jacob T. King of The Church at Liberty Square announced in a letter on Friday that those who attended their gathering on March 1 should quarantine through March 15. And those who attended on March 8 should remain in self-quarantine through March 22.
Several organizations are now recommending a 14-day precautionary quarantine for anyone who has been in contact with a confirmed or presumptive coronavirus patient.
"I wanted to give you an update on the ongoing situation that is the coronavirus, especially as it relates locally to our community and specifically to our church family," he said.
Pastor King said that the church had recently been notified by the Georgia Department of Public Health of additional positive patients that attended their church over the last two weeks.
"None of us like times like these, where circumstances are difficult, life is interrupted, and it is so easy to give way to fear," King said. "But God will sustain us in this moment as we turn to Him."
The pastor also announced that upcoming services would be online at 10:30 a.m. beginning this upcoming Sunday. He added that the church won't meet on the campus on Wednesday, either.
"Even though we will be separated by space, we don't have to be isolated in spirit," he said. "Please know that you are not alone and that we care about you."
The announcement comes one day after Bartow County itself was confirmed to have another case of the virus. This is in addition to several others who are being tested.
With 43 patients awaiting test results - 14 of which being allowed to self-quarantine - Cartersville Medical Center announced on Friday that it was implementing a strict "no visitor" policy while the outbreak lasts.
A spokesperson for the center said that there was a one-parent or caregiver limit for pediatric patients. Obstetrics patients are allowed one birthing or care partner. And outpatient surgery or testing patients are allowed one caregiver.
They are also following prevention protocols for patients with the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus which include isolation, to "help ensure the safety of our colleagues, patients, and visitors."
In Georgia, the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low, according to officials. At 11Alive, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: www.11Alive.com/Coronavirus.
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