Episcopal Rector In Fort Worth Has First 'Presumptive Positive' Tarrant County Case Of COVID-19

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Episcopal church leaders deliver unsettling news, with unshakeable faith: the Trinity Episcopal Church rector, Rev. Dr. Robert Pace, is Tarrant County's first 'presumptive' case of Covid-19. He remains hospitalized in isolation.

"Father Pace is much better," says Rev. Janet Waggoner, assistant to the Episcopal Bishop.

"He's on the mend... and we can't say enough about the medical care he has received."

According to a timeline provided by the diocese, Father Pace most likely contracted the virus while attending a church conference in Louisville, Kentucky in February. When word spread that a rector in the D.C. area who had attended that same conference had tested positive, Father Pace again contacted his physician. He had visited the doctor on February 27 because he had been feeling ill and tested negative for the flu, twice.

Meanwhile, those in the surrounding community seem to be keeping the risk in perspective.

"Make sure you wash your hands often," says Donato Hunter, "avoid large crowds if you don't have to be near them, really just take care of yourself and stock up."

"I'm not super concerned," says Jinohn Temple, "because I think I'm more concerned about the flu. It's not something that's necessarily real to me right now."

Meanwhile, church leaders say they are encouraging their members to be prepared to get actively involved in supporting those who may need help in the coming week.

"If the health department and the CDC are correct, this won't be the only case of coronavirus in Tarrant County," says Rev. Waggoner. "We hope to continue to partner with our congregations and beyond our walls in the wider community to really help and support those who who may become ill and their families."

Lenten services scheduled for Wednesday evening have been canceled and Sunday services will be streamed online.

Rev. Pace's wife has so far tested negative for the virus; but, will remain in self quarantine at home for the next 14 days.

Church leaders meanwhile say they are working to share accurate information, and encourage calm, even while limiting opportunities for the virus to spread.

"We believe that God calls us to be a non-anxious presence," says Rev. Waggoner, "because the ripples of trust in God and trust in community and one another makes such a difference in the world."