Dozens of COVID-19 Cases Traced to Church's Christmas Services

Coronavirus

Dozens of COVID-19 Cases Traced to Church’s Christmas Services

January 4, 2021

Patricia Marson is wheeled back to her room by nurse manager Rob Treiber after she became the first patient at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

BOSTON — Authorities say dozens of positive coronavirus cases have been traced back to Christmas services at a Massachusetts church.

The Woburn Board of Health has been working with the state to notify people who attended one of four services Dec. 23 and 24 at Genesis Community Church in Woburn, Mayor Scott Galvin tells The Boston Globe.

The mayor says the church is cooperating with authorities. Officials say at least 44 cases have been traced to the church.

Genesis in a statement says it is encouraging anyone who attended the services to get tested, whether symptomatic or not, and helping those who need to quarantine to prevent further transmission. Services are now being held online.

The church statement says: “We are deeply saddened to learn that people within Genesis tested positive for COVID-19 and we are doing all we can to make sure this does not spread any further.”

Under state guidelines, houses of worship are limited to 25% of capacity. The church said it took proper precautions, including preregistration to attend and requiring masks and social distancing.

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