Senior pastor among 7 infected with Covid-19 at Grace Assembly of God church cluster

SINGAPORE — A senior pastor of the Grace Assembly of God church is among the seven people from the cluster who have contracted the Covid-19 coronavirus.

In a note to congregants posted on the church’s website, senior pastor Wilson Teo revealed that he has been infected and warded at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases since Feb 11.

“I am sorry for adding another concern to you with this news,” he said, before assuring them he is recovering well.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has identified the Grace Assembly of God church as one of five clusters where the virus is being transmitted.

The church, which has branches in Tanglin and Bukit Batok, has stopped all its services and activities for two weeks from Feb 12, senior pastor Teo said in his note, adding that it has been a “very difficult time” for the church.

“Contact tracing by MOH has started, and individuals are being notified if they were in close contact with the confirmed cases,” he said.

Senior pastor Teo called on those who have not been contacted by MOH to live their life as normally as possible, but to exercise hygiene precautions and see a doctor if they are sick.

“Some of you have shared that your employers are concerned about your possible exposure to the confirmed cases,” he said.

“Please be assured that MOH is looking into this and higher-risk groups are notified with leave of absence or given home quarantine order.

“Alternatively, you may wish to work with your employers on the precautionary arrangements that are acceptable to your organisation.”

MOH has issued home quarantine orders to all staff members of the church, he said.

This means that both branches will be closed and will reopen on Feb 26.