Catholic Diocese Of Pittsburgh Temporarily Closes Blessed Trinity Parish Churches After Employee Tests Positive For Coronavirus
BALDWIN (KDKA) -- The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is closing all of its facilities in the Blessed Trinity Parish in the South Hills and parts of Pittsburgh after an employee tested positive for coronavirus.
"They last worked on Friday afternoon and tested positive on Sunday," said Father Stephen Kresak of the Blessed Trinity Parish.
The church building where the employee worked and others nearby within the diocese will be closed so that they can be cleaned and sanitized.
In a news release sent Sunday night, the Diocese announced that the church involved is St. Albert the Great in Baldwin.
However, as a precaution, St. Basil, St. Wendelin, Holy Angels and St. Sylvester are closed as well and will also be cleaned and sanitized.
"The other churches will all be taken care of this week with a professional company and some of our staff," said Kresak.
None of the churches will be open for daily masses this week.
"Just to be extra cautious, because people are sensitive to the situation and a lot of our parishioners are older parishioners," said Kresak.
The Diocese contacted the Allegheny County Health Department and staff members were told to talk to their doctors.
People in direct contact to the employee who tested positive are being tested as well.
In a statement, the Diocese said in part, "Although the spiritual health and well being of our parishioners is important, physical health and well-being is too, especially during these challenging times. We're committed to providing a safe environment for people to work and worship within our parish."
The Diocese says that the reopening schedule for the Blessed Trinity Parish will be available soon.
