By Staff Writer
Members of a New Zealand Congregational Christian Church of Samoa or EFKS in South Auckland, were swapped last week for COVID-19 after a news report that a family had tested positive.
New Zealand STUFF ONLINE quoted Rev. Victor Pouesi of the EFKS Mangere East Puaseisei congregation, that at least two people who tested positive attended service last Sunday with about 300 members in church.
““It’s unfortunate that we’ve had someone come to church that [has since] tested positive,” Rev. Pouesi was reported telling STUFF ONLINE.
“I’ve told the church members all to get tested as a precaution.”
The south Auckland family who tested positive for the virus, included a child who attends preschool on the church grounds.
Rev. Pouesi said about 600 people attend the church but only 300 were there on Sunday.
He said there were also close contacts of the family who attended the service.
The church leader said the preschooler and their family attended on Sunday, and he remembers speaking with the mother and shaking her hand.
“They’re not active members, but they came to church that day.
“We called the family this week to see how they are and if they need access to any counseling and to let them know they’re in our prayers.
“There are several other church members who are also extended members of that family, too.”
The Ministry of Health said the child who tested positive did not attend preschool while they had symptoms.
However, Pouesi said there are some young church members that attend the same preschool.
He was standing in line at the Māngere Community Clinic on Friday morning with his family of five to get tested.
He expects most of his congregation will get tested as well.
“I said to our people, this is the real challenge for all of us, and we have to take these precautions but it’s what we have to do to beat this thing.”