Coronavirus Exposure At Holy Innocents Church in Pleasantville
PLEASANTVILLE, NY — A priest and a staff member at Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Pleasantville have tested positive for the new coronavirus.
The two potentially exposed many people over four days of services, Westchester County health officials announced Thursday afternoon.
Anyone who attended the following services at the church at 431 Bedford Road must quarantine, as required by the New York State Department of Health, for 14 days (whether or not you've had a negative coronavirus test) from that last visit to the church during these days:
Aug. 24 – Morning Mass
Aug. 25 – Morning Mass
Aug. 29 – First Communion Ceremonies
Aug. 30 – All Masses, Except for the 9 a.m. Mass
Contacts of contacts, meaning secondary exposed people, are currently not at risk and do not have to quarantine, health officials said.
County health officials said they are working closely with the church, the Archdiocese of New York, the Pleasantville school district and the village and will continue to update the public as information becomes available.
In a joint statement issued with Village Administrator Eric Morrisey, and Mayor Peter Scherer, Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter said:
We were recently informed that there has been a positive COVID-19 exposure at Holy Innocents. Earlier today I spoke with Father Luke, the County Department of Health, our School Physician Dr. Roye, Mt. Pleasant Superintendent of Schools Kurtis Kotes, our Village Administrator Eric Morrisey and Mayor Peter Scherer to discuss the next steps and potential impact on our schools and the community at large. It is my understanding that those who attended Mass and the First Communion Ceremony over the weekend followed all the important health protocols regarding masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene. However, as a precautionary measure, both the County Department of Health and Dr. Roye are stating that all individuals who attended the First Communion Ceremony or Mass over the weekend need to quarantine for 14 days. In my conversations this afternoon with the County, they shared that they will be sending out an official communication with more information regarding this situation later this evening. In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns, please consult your health care provider. You can also call the NYS COVID 19 Hotline – 888 364-3065.
Thank you for your cooperation.
People under self-quarantine and medical providers seeking information can call (866) 588-0195.
People inquiring about testing can call (888) 364-3065.
For general information, call 211.
This article originally appeared on the Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manor Patch
