reopened churches close again due to virus outbreaks

Churches in states at the forefront of reopening efforts are closing their doors for a second time. Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle in Ringgold, Ga., and Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Houston have indefinitely cancelled services after members and leaders tested positive for the coronavirus shortly after reopening. Several families in the congregation of Catoosa Baptist tested positive, despite the church’s caution to space seating six feet apart and have its doors open to prevent frequent touching of doorknobs. For Holy Ghost parish’s May 2 reopening, only 179 were allowed in the 900- seat building for Sunday Mass. That service involved two priests who have since tested positive. Three church members also were confirmed to have the virus.