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D.C. pastor with confirmed coronavirus attended Louisville conference

It's unclear when and where the pastor contracted the virus.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A pastor in the Washington D.C. area who contracted coronavirus attended a conference in Louisville.

Rector Tim Cole attended the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes Network at the Omni Hotel.

He said he started feeling sick after he returned home to D.C.

When asked about the case during a media briefing Monday, Mayor Greg Fischer said the city was aware. 

"We've been in touch with the Omni and we know the Omni has been and will be in touch with the state for the necessary protocol to make sure that the employees there have been safeguarded," he said. 

Doctors are still determining to find out how Rector Cole contracted the virus. But in an update late Monday night, the executive director of the CEEP Network, which held the conference in Louisville, released a statement. He cited D.C Health which said, "A D.C. resident who tested positive for COVID-19 attended the recent CEEP conference. Based on our investigation, they were asymptomatic, meaning they were not experiencing symptoms like fever or cough, while they were at the conference. Therefore, there is no identified risk of exposure to CEEP conference attendees as a result of contact with this case."

The Omni Hotel's general manager Scott Stuckey also released a statement late Monday that reads:

“Our team was notified last night that a person who visited the Omni Louisville Hotel in late February has tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of our associates and guests are our top priority. We are in touch with local, state and federal agencies, who have indicated that attending or working at a conference with someone who tests positive is not a significant risk factor. While there is no way to be sure of where the individual was exposed or whether anyone else was exposed, we are following CDC guidance and reiterate that frequent hand washing and minimizing close contact is important for preventing the virus’s spread. We have reminded all our associates about proper cleaning and handwashing protocols. We also asked associates to stay home if they feel sick. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 depends on everyone working together.”

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