COVID-19 case at Arima church

The Church of the Annunciation, Santa Rosa Heights, Arima did not have Mass last Sunday as a parishioner tested positive for COVID-19 days earlier.

The church is part of the Santa Rosa/Malabar Arima Cluster and is jointly shared with the Anglican Church community.

Issuing a statement December 4 to the Santa Rosa Heights Catholic community on behalf of the Cluster Clergy Team, moderator Fr Steve Duncan said the parishioner was ill and had attended Mass the previous weekend (November 29). After doing the test and later receiving a positive result, she began home quarantining.

“The persons with whom the parishioner had some degree of contact were notified of their exposure and advised to contact the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Hotline. They have done so and were advised to self-isolate.”

Fr Duncan said the Clergy Team “places priority on the safety of all parishioners as we continue to work together during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic” and as a precaution cancelled Mass last Sunday, December 6.

The decision was also taken to cancel “all activities of ministries and groups which normally take place at the church”.

He said an update would have been provided by Thursday, December 10 and reminded parishioners of the need to wash/sanitise hands, physically distance from others and wear masks.

The Ministry of Health continues to advise citizens to stay at home if feeling sick.