Alabama has saturated its health system, according to authorities 0:57
(CNN) - An Alabama pastor closed his church after several staff members and members tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Rev. Derek Allen, pastor of First Baptist Tillman's Corner in Mobile, says that the church is now returning to online services.
"We closed the church before the state asked us to," said Allen. "We had already put in place plans on how we would continue."
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The Rev. Derek Allen, pastor of First Baptist Church Tillman's Corner, says a wave of infections is spreading in his church.
Allen said the church, which has about 1,500 members, had only had online services during the confinement for coronavirus. But it reopened, following health guidelines, after restrictions were lifted.
Allen said the church practiced social distancing. The usual 1,000-occupancy sanctuary was reduced to 130 people per service, he said. The church added up to five services a day just to accommodate everyone.
Church members also wore masks and the church was cleaned regularly, he added.
Several cases of coronavirus have been reported at First Baptist Church Tillman's Corner.
" We assume each cold is covid-19 and we act quickly"
When a staff member said he was experiencing symptoms of covid-19, that quickly turned into several others who experienced symptoms and eventually tested positive, he said.
"A week from the time I received the first phone call reporting symptoms, we knew that more than a dozen people were showing symptoms," Allen wrote in a blog post.
He also wrote about isolation and social distancing work, and said he believes the reason the virus has not spread faster and more in the church community is because sick people were isolated. The infections date back to the few occasions when social distancing policies were not followed properly, Allen wrote.
He added that one of the lessons he has learned is that they assume "that every cold is covid-19 and we act quickly."
Alabama Ready for Coronavirus Sufferers? 0:26"Don't get caught up in the political conversation"
Allen also warns other pastors to prioritize their members before any political message about covid-19.
“Don't get caught up in the political conversation, worry about your local flock. And if you have any questions, err on the side of caution, ”Allen told CNN.
Allen added that it is difficult to see so many of his members sick, but said he knows that none are in a life-threatening situation. He added that covid-19 is a serious illness and that it has been a heartbreaking and demoralizing journey for church members who contracted it.
To keep his church members safe, Allen decided to leave the church doors closed and return to online services during the month of July. But he added: "What is right for my church is not necessarily right for someone else's church."
Meanwhile, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has extended the home confinement order until July 31. It has also extended the state's public health emergency until September 9.
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