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A church elder in the Auckland subgroup center says he got tested for the first time today after receiving a call from one of the pastors.
Mount Roskill Evangelical Fellowship Church Source: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly
By Amy Williams of rnz.co.nz
Joseph Hohepa Kotuku said that as a church elder, it was his duty to get tested.
“It’s for the good of the community that’s what it’s all about. I’m a born-again Christian, so it’s all about community.”
There is a new community case of Covid-19 today, linked to the subgroup of the group Mt Roskill Evangelical Fellowship.
Eighty-two percent of the church congregation has been retested.
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Today there were six new cases, all from Mt Roskill Evangelical Fellowship. Source: 1 NEWS
He was aware of critical comments about the congregation.
“You’re going to get that with a lot of critical non-Christian people, they don’t understand where we are,” Kotuku said.
“I see a lot of criticism, but that does not concern us. We are doing what God has commanded us to do through the word of God.”
Kotuku said that God is her healer, but she also believes that it is important to use wisdom and abide by the law.
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Police visited Mt Roskill Evangelical Fellowship last month when a prayer meeting was held during Level 3 restrictions. Source: Breakfast
He said he took a test after he got a call from one of the church’s pastors to encourage him to do it, and today was his first test.
Health officials have urged members of the congregation to get tested again, and so far nearly 20 percent have not.
Kotuku said she attended the prayer meeting last month that was interrupted by the police because it was a larger gathering than the Level 3 rules allowed.
“I understand that they have to do their duty due to government law. We all understand that. We are not perfect, but we are obedient to the word of God’s call.”
He said prayer meetings have been held at Zoom ever since.
There are now 55 people linked to the community group staying at the Auckland quarantine hotel, who have tested positive for Covid-19.
A student at Henderson North School in Auckland was one of four confirmed cases yesterday.
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The Henderson North Elementary School student has been in isolation. Source: 1 NEWS
Henderson local Paul Ragay took the test today as a precaution.
“I’m a little worried about what’s going on [here] And I’m working in the mental health sector, particularly getting to know the schools and the children, it’s something very close to my heart. “
The student who tested positive is a family contact from a previously reported case and had been in isolation. There are no close contacts within the Henderson North School community.
Principal Irene Ogden said many children stayed home today, after they were given the option, but the risk is low.
“The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health assure us that we are doing well as a school. We are working hard to make sure our children are safe, happy and learning. We just want them to be here.”
He said the school is still open and ready to welcome students after the weekend.
The city’s test centers will be open on weekends.
