Coronavirus News: Parishioners at 2 NY churches advised to quarantine after priests, staff member test positive

The coronavirus cases are linked to Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Pleasantville and Our Lady of Victory Parish in Floral Park

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Saturday, September 5, 2020

Priests, staff member test positive at 2 NY churchesSonia Rincon has the latest details after priests and a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 at two New York churches.

PLEASANTVILLE, Westchester County (WABC) -- Parishioners at two New York churches, one in Westchester County and one on Long Island, are being advised to self-quarantine after priests and a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

Two priests and a staff member from Holy Innocents Catholic Church, located at 431 Bedford Road in Pleasantville, tested positive, officials said.

The county says anyone who attended any of the following services must quarantine for 14 days from the last time they visited the church:

- August 24 - Morning Mass

- August 25 - Morning Mass

- August 29 - First Communion Ceremonies and all Masses

- August 30 - All Masses

Contacts of contacts, meaning secondary exposed people, are currently not at risk and do not have to quarantine.

For people who attended mass or First Communion at the church, the county has partnered with Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow to provide testing at its drive-thru tent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Health officials are urging people who attended mass at the church to quarantine

Health officials advised that even if people test negative, they would not be released from self-quarantine.

The New York State Department of Health has set up a hotline at (888) 364-3065 where the Department of Health experts will be available to answer general questions regarding COVID-19.

People under self-quarantine and medical providers seeking information can call (866) 588-0195

The county is currently working closely with the Church, the Archdiocese of New York, the Pleasantville School District, and the Village and will provide updates as warranted.

On Long Island, officials with Our Lady of Victory Parish in Floral Park reported that a priest was exposed to COVID-19 on Saturday evening and later tested positive.

Associate Pastor Rev. Rafal Borowiejskiis said to be asymptomatic, but anyone who was was present at the 10:30 a.m., noon, or 5;30 p.m. Mass Sunday or at his daily Masses on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, or who have been in close contact with Fr. Rafal since Saturday night, August 29, should consider getting tested and/or self quarantine.

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