A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Tuesday confirmed the coronavirus was spread in a rural central Arkansas church in March when disregarding restrictions on large group gatherings.
Among 92 attendees at Greers Ferry First Assembly of God during March 6–11, 35 (38%) developed laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, and three persons died, the CDC report states.
The highest attack rates were in persons aged 19–64 years (59%) and greater than 65 years (50%). An additional 26 cases linked to the church occurred in the community, including one death.
William Barton, a 90-year-old member of the Greers Ferry Assembly of God, was among the first COVID-19 deaths in Arkansas, KARK in Little Rock reported.
“Faith-based organizations should work with local health officials to determine how to implement the U.S. Government guidelines for modifying activities during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent transmission of the virus to their members and their communities,” the CDC report added.
The Associated Press reported April 1 the church had been accused of disregarding restrictions on large group gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.