Coronavirus hits Edinburgh mosque and Coatbridge church
A worshipper at an Edinburgh mosque has tested positive for coronavirus.
The Edinburgh Blackhall Mosque in House O’hill Road is now closed until further notice for a deep clean to be carried out.
No further details are known of the patient though they are understood to be self-isolating at home on medical advice.
Updates posted on the mosque’s Facebook page reveal: “Asalamu alaikum we pray you are all well and praying at all times for the health of all. We would like to inform you we have had our first case of coronavirus. The member has been asked by doctors to self-isolate at home.”
Meanwhile. the Muslim Council of Britain has told officials at mosques, madrassas and Islamic centres to consider the potential different ways they might be able to safely reach worshippers if the outbreak worsens.
It comes as a young member of the of congregation at St Augustine RC Church in Coatbridge tested positive for Covid-19.
Parishioners were informed in a letter from parish priest Father Michael Kane. He learned of the case yesterday, with the church immediately being closed to prevent any further spread among parishioners. The letter said: “Just before the 12 noon Holy Mass today I received confirmation that one of our young parishioners has tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19).
“It was also confirmed that this individual attended a large-scale Mass in our church in recent days. I should stress that the young parishioner in question is not seriously unwell.”
The church was closed following consultation with Bishop Joseph Toal, Ordinary of the Diocese of Motherwell. “This decision has been taken with a heavy heart, but with the sole purpose of protecting the health of our parishioners,” the letter added.
The church, which is also used by the neighbouring primary school, will undergo a deep anti-bacterial clean with no public services to be held until further notice.
Parishioners have been told they can celebrate the sacraments on the church’s website.