Over 90 coronavirus cases linked to Ohio man attending church service

The coronavirus spread to over 90 people in Ohio after an infected man attended a church service earlier this year.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) shared a graphic Tuesday that shows that 91 people from five counties in the state developed symptoms of COVID-19 after a 56-year-old man with coronavirus attended a church service. 

Fifty-three of the cases resulted from fellow worshippers at the service, who later spread COVID-19 symptoms to others in their community. Over a dozen children, including one as young as one year old, developed symptoms by July 4 following the service, according to the graphic.

This slide shows the spread of the virus to at least 91 different people resulting from just one person with #COVID19 attending a church service. It spread like wildfire. pic.twitter.com/j70ENyMk2T

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) August 4, 2020

The virus also spread to older worshippers and people with whom they came into contact, including one man over the age of 65.

“It spread like wildfire,” DeWine said at a Tuesday press conference confirming the spread of the virus. “Very, very scary.”

DeWine on Tuesday said that he is was sending a letter to the state’s “faith-based community” in order to share how faith institutions can protect worshipers. The governor called on residents gathering for religious services to wear masks or face coverings, practice social distancing, frequently wash hands and more.

DeWine on Thursday confirmed that he has tested positive for COVID-19 despite showing no symptoms. 

The governor last month mandated that people who are over 10 years old wear masks in public. An order took effect Wednesday in Ohio mandating that children in schools wear face coverings, with some exceptions.

DeWine on Tuesday also shared several other examples of COVID-19 spreading in gatherings of friends and family. He pointed to an Ohio wedding where the brother of the groom was symptomatic but attended the event. Fifteen people are now sick, including the bride, groom and a grandfather.

This slide shows the spread of the virus to at least 91 different people resulting from just one person with #COVID19 attending a church service. It spread like wildfire. pic.twitter.com/j70ENyMk2T

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) August 4, 2020

“None of us want to stay away from our families and of course, it’s natural to want to show affection when you see them.  But this virus lurking. Please try to remember that you are showing love by protecting them,” DeWine tweeted. 

None of us want to stay away from our families and of course, it’s natural to want to show affection when you see them. But this virus lurking. Please try to remember that you are showing love by protecting them.

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) August 4, 2020

Ohio has confirmed at least 97,471 COVID-19 cases and 3,618 fatalities as of Thursday.