Pastor Addresses Coronavirus Outbreak Linked To Windham Church

WINDHAM, NH — The pastor at the center of a coronavirus outbreak tied to a church in Windham said almost three weeks passed between most members with coronavirus entering self-isolation and the Department of Health and Human Services launching an investigation into the outbreak that affected 16 people.

In a release last week, the New Hampshire DHHS said 16 people have tested positive for the virus in connection to a YouthStorm church camp event held at Crossing LIFE Church in Windham from July 16 to 18.

The DHHS urged the public to avoid events at the church throughout the next week while an investigation into the outbreak is underway.

On Monday, Crossing LIFE Church said in a release that senior pastor Shawn Foster first found out that an outbreak in the church was under investigation by DHHS on Friday, almost three weeks after the first positive test result tied to the church was identified.

In working with the DHHS, the church suspended all its services for two weeks and planned a community testing event on church property for Monday. The church further encouraged anyone who had concerns about having been exposed to the virus to get a test either during the event or through another testing provider.

"It is very difficult to determine the source of this virus and an individual carries on many activities and interacts with many people in the course of business each week," Foster wrote in the release. "The members of the Crossing LIFE Church are no different."

Foster said the first known coronavirus case tied to the church was diagnosed in a member of a Wyndham household in which three other residents in the house tested positive.

"While waiting for test results, this individual observed quarantine guidelines and only exhibited mild symptoms (headache)," Foster wrote.

Related: Potential Coronavirus Outbreak In Windham Under Investigation

Members of that household self-isolated for 10 days and waited until they were fever free for at least 24 hours without the help of fever-reducing medications before resuming normal activities.

The release stated most cases connected to the church were isolated to a few households, all the members of which began isolation before exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19.

Foster said the individuals decided to self-isolate after learning a member of the church had tested positive for the virus despite being asymptomatic.

Most recently, a brother and sister found out on Aug. 1 that they had the virus after being tested on July 21 and 24, respectively. Both had been self-isolating before receiving the positive result, Foster said.

"Out of an abundance of caution, most of the members of the Crossing LIFE Church have been in self-imposed quarantine, which includes not coming to church events for the past three weeks," he said. "Most members have not attended a Sunday service. Many church members also went for early testing and have already received a negative test result. The Crossing LIFE Church will continue to work with NH DHHS to protect its members and the community."

By phone, Foster told Patch the church is following the governor's guidance for houses of worship including directing the flow of foot traffic, providing hand sanitizing stations and distributing seating so families can socially distance.

He said the church is also operating below its 50 percent capacity limitation, providing two services on Sundays, offering overflow seating so as not to overcrowd the sanctuary and streaming its services online.

Lastly, he added, the church treats its sanctuary with ozone between services to sanitize and clean, and a professional cleaning company is being brought in to further the effort.

"Most church members have been very diligent in following social distancing and quarantining guidelines," Foster wrote in the statement. "Crossing LIFE Church has been in constant communication with its members on COVID-19, Governor’s Reopening Guidance and CDC Guidance for house of worship."