Ads by Google Ads by Google

Hundreds of Samoan churchgoers in NZ told to get COVID tested

Map showing Māngere East

Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Up to 300 people who attended church on Sunday have been urged to get tested for Covid-19 urgently after a family at the congregation tested positive.

Everyone who was at the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa Māngere East Puaseisei on Sunday and anyone who has been in contact with those who were there are being told to get a test as a precaution.

It comes after health officials confirmed earlier this week that a preschooler had tested positive for the virus.

The youngster is a pupil at the Taeaofou i Puaseisei Preschool on Winthrop Way, in Māngere East, which is on the church grounds. Many of the church's youngest members attend the preschool also.

Reverend Victor Pouesi said the church was rallying to support the family involved after several members - including the preschooler's parents and at least one other child in the family had tested positive to Covid-19.

"It's unfortunate this has come up and we don't really know who's [possibly] got the virus.

"We're all working together to solve this problem. It's really hard to track and trace, so we've told everyone to get tested."

The church is made up of 90 families - up to 500 to 600 people. But a usual Sunday service usually saw up to 300 people attend.

Read more at Star News