The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department has tracked at least 24 cases of COVID-19 to the North Charleston Apostolic Church in Charleston. The outbreak affects 19 Kanawha County residents, four Putnam County residents and one Logan County resident.
Church leadership has voluntarily agreed to close for three weeks inorder to conduct deep cleaning throughout the building. Congregants are asked to isolate. KCHD is assisting other counties investigate the outbreak.
“We don’t want to discourage people from going to church,” said Dr. Sherri Young, health officer and executive director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department. “In the middle of a pandemic, people may need spirituality more than ever. But COVID-19 is still out there and, we have to be very careful. Please consider attending services electronically, especially if you’re at high risk for complications from COVID-19. If you are attending an in-person service, wear your mask, keep six feet between you and other congregants and wash your hands frequently.”