Coronavirus Philadelphia: Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Holds Virtual Services Despite Rev. Waller's COVID-19 Diagnosis
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church continues to hold Sunday morning services online, but this week, it was the first virtual services since Rev. Alyn Waller revealed he tested positive for COVID-19.
It's been weeks since worshippers filled the Germantown church with their praises.
Waller wants the community to know he is fine and he's been staying at home.
His wife and daughter have also been tested since he learned of his diagnosis.
He believes he was called to go through this with the community.
Waller tested positive for COVID-19 during a community testing event at the Enon Tabernacle on Cheltenham Avenue last Monday.
Doctors were providing the free service and the reverends plan was to get the testing done to show people how it works.
Waller says he has not experienced symptoms and he was social distancing while leaving the house to preach from the church, as well as help conduct funerals for immediate family members.
"I think we have tried to be responsible," he said. "Yet, I tested positive. That's why testing is so important."
Due to a lack of supplies, Philadelphia's Health Department recommends priority be given to people showing symptoms and those 50 years or older, serving as a first responder or health care worker.
In a statement, the department said in part: "The fact that people like Rev. Waller was positive for COVID-19 and was not showing symptoms is scary, and is all the more reason why people should be taking our stay-at-home order, and masking every time they go out, seriously."
Waller is using his case as an example to prove the importance of testing.
Worship will continue virtually, as Enon Tabernacle East will be closed while it gets a deep cleaning.
Meanwhile, Waller is isolating at home and he hopes to highlight a critical need for testing for everyone, including those without symptoms.
