NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — Public Mass in the diocese began on May 18, and on Wednesday of at least one positive COVID-19 case inside the Cathedral of the Incarnation was announced.
Father Edward Steiner sent an email out to the congregation Wednesday alerting them of a staff member who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Father Steiner said the person hasn’t been in the cathedral since Friday. He said members are not a high risk since the infected member doesn't interact with the public.
However, those who were in contact with the infected member are taking the necessary precautions.
“Those of us that have been around this employee regularly and continually, which involves myself, one of our other priest and our office staff; we are having to self-quarantine for 14 days,” said Father Steiner.
The Cathedral of the Incarnation just welcomed parishioners back in person for the first time in months.
“For the weekend we were open all last week for our daily services which was good because it gave us a chance to make sure the procedures that we were setting up worked," he said.
In the wake of COVID-19, Father Steiner says mass was different; the Bishop is requiring anyone coming to mass to wear a face mask.
“We’ve closed every other pew and we trained our ushers and greeters, we all kind of work together to make this possible; as we seat people they are seated six feet apart,” said Father Steiner.
Despite the positive COVID-19 case, Father Steiner said some services will continue in-person and others will be streamed.
Below is the email from Father Steiner to members highlighting the changes:
