Chemung County Health Department and Schuyler County Public Health, in coordination with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and with cooperation of the church, have identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to the Lighthouse Baptist Church, with cases identified in each county. The church is located at 209 Gardner Rd, Horseheads, NY 14845.
Anyone who attended the church for any events (services, bible study, etc.) between August 18th and September 6th should:
- Get tested for COVID-19. COVID-19 testing for church visitors will be offered tomorrow, September 9th, from 11 AM to 5 PM at the Chemung County Fairgrounds – located at 170 Fairview Rd, Horseheads, NY 14845. Testing will be free of charge. Please bring identification. Anyone who cannot make it to this test site is encouraged to visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you to find another testing location.
- Those tested are required to quarantine for 14 days from the test date. Stay home and limit contact with others. If you must be in the same room as someone else, wear a mask and keep your distance. School age children and school staff who attended during this time period should not attend school in person.
- Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop symptoms at any point during the 14-day period, get tested – even if you already tested negative earlier in your quarantine.
“This testing event is vital to identify those that may be ill with COVID and attended any church related functions in order to stop any further community transmission” stated Chemung County Health Department Director Peter Buzzetti.
“If you feel sick, even if you only feel a little sick, get tested then stay home,” Schuyler County Public Health Director Deborah Minor advised. “Taking these steps as soon as you start to feel sick limits how many people get exposed to the virus and helps keep it from spreading widely in the community.”