Churchgoers affected in the country's biggest Covid cluster are being encouraged to "keep the faith" as they continue to be urged to get tested. Video / Brett Phibbs
Churchgoers affected in the country's biggest Covid cluster are being encouraged to "keep the faith" as they continue to be urged to get tested.
A dedicated testing station has been set up specifically for people who are now linked to a church service held at the Assembly of God Church of Samoa, on Andrew Baxter Dr in Māngere, on Sunday, August 15.
The service was a combined rally that included representatives from at least 25 churches from around Auckland and some outside of the city, including from Wellington.
The church pastor's wife, first lady Rebekah Toleafoa, cried as she spoke out for the first time today; describing how that Sunday was simply a service to worship.
"Worshipping ... not knowing that in the church amongst the congregation, there was an act.
"My heart goes out to everybody that's got the positive [result] and to all our church members for their support," she said.
An emotional Rebekah Toleafoa, supported by daughter Judith Toleafoa, speaks to media at the pop-up clinic today. Photo / Brett Phibbs
"From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to say thank you to everybody who co-operated and your prayers and especially the support from our churches from all over."
Church spokesman Jerome Mika said church leaders from the congregations present at the service were putting on a united front.
"It's been a very difficult time for our church leaders. Through it all, seeing some of the racist remarks - it has been really unhelpful. But what we've tried to do is stay united, co-operate with the Ministry of Health.
"But also just make sure that every single person in our church community was cared for."
Assembly of God Church of Samoa spokesman Jerome Mika. Photo / Brett Phibbs
They expected to retest between 900 to 1000 people who were at the service and their respective family contacts.
Members of the church have faced some backlash - including racist remarks - since it was identified as a location of interest.
Mika said: "Those racist remarks - we should be better than that."
'Be strong, keep the faith'
People in the wider Pacific, Samoan and South Auckland communities have stepped up to support and help those affected - providing food parcels and linking up with Pacific healthcare groups.
Those who were at the service are encouraging each other to be strong during this time.
"We're in this together," one churchgoer said online.
"Prayers for our congregation, prayers for our pastors and church families during this time.
"We uplift those who have been affected by this pandemic. Be strong and keep the faith."
Anyone who was at the service, between 9am and 3pm, is considered a close contact and must self-isolate for 14 days from the last day of exposure and get a Covid test.
People affected can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.
The new pop-up testing site comes as health officials said up to 20,000 people are now deemed to be contacts after visiting hundreds of locations of interest - everything from schools, supermarkets, cafes, takeaways, restaurants and businesses - around Auckland, Coromandel and Wellington.
More than 500 people attended the affected Māngere church service that Sunday and health authorities, including Pasifika health providers in South Auckland, have been urging churchgoers and their families to get tested.
Of those, 114 people connected to the service have tested positive for Covid, authorities confirmed today.
Youth practice at Avondale school linked to church service
Director general of health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, told media this morning that we could expect high numbers of community cases announced today.
"Yesterday, 62 was a pretty high number and we may well have a high number again today. We will be looking over this next day or two to see that levelling off and then start to drop," he told the AM Show.
Churchgoers get tested in South Auckland today. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The testing station for the Samoan AOG churchgoers at the Manukau Magpies League Club. Photo / Brett Phibbs
It is understood a youth practice held at Avondale Primary School hall, in West Auckland, involves youth members who then attended the church service that Sunday.
The practice was held at Avondale Primary the day before the service and went on for a number of hours between 4pm and 8pm.
Those who were at the practice have been isolating for just over a week. It is not known whether anyone specifically connected to the practice has tested positive for Covid.
Church spokesman Jerome Mika told the Herald yesterday that a person who attended the service works at a McDonald's restaurant in West Auckland. That McDonald's has also been named a location of interest.
