The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit confirmed Monday there are 16 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases associated with the current outbreak at Mapleview Community Church in south-end Barrie.
The health unit declared an outbreak Thursday at the Mapleview Drive West church.
Church officials say they are currently not hosting any ministry or outreach events due to the ongoing outbreak.
The church sent an email to its members on Friday saying that Sunday Service on Nov. 7 would take place in the field on church property, with pastor Jay Davis preaching to people in their vehicles. But a follow-up email went out Saturday afternoon saying those plans had changed and the service would be strictly online.
“The health unit did direct the church not to meet in person last weekend as part of the response to their outbreak and they complied with this direction," a health unit spokesperson told BarrieToday.
In his Sunday service, Davis said that "on Oct. 25, some young adults tested positive regarding COVID and from there it seems to have begun to make its way through some of the church body."
Davis said there may be more positive tests coming, but hopes that isn't the case.
"For 20 months, we've been able to keep at bay the coronavirus. We've worked hard at making sure it was a safe and secure place, that everybody who came through the doors since March of 2020 would have both the freedom and the opportunity to love Jesus in all the ways they could best," Davis said during the online service.
City of Barrie enforcement services manager Tammy Banting told BarrieToday that her department had received "a few complaints regarding suspected violations taking place at the church.”
“In all cases, discussions were had with the pastor and legislated requirements were reviewed and re-enforced," Banting wrote in an email Monday.
BarrieToday contacted Davis on Monday to ask if the church had been following provincially mandated rules and regulations during the pandemic. Davis did not directly answer the question.
“At this time, our leadership team's greater concern is with our church family,” he said. "Our efforts and time are toward caring for them, as I’m sure you can appreciate.
"I would ask you to allow our church to attend to these next few days of lockdown and our need to pivot our weekly indoor ministries and the many people who count on us for weekly support," Davis added.
During Sunday's service posted to YouTube, Davis said the past week had taken him and the church staff “totally off guard.”
“I just feel awful regarding all the situations going on, and I don’t know how to convey to you my sorrow that any of you have to go through these sufferings,” Davis said during the online service.
