Hillsong: no coronavirus cases linked to church
NSW Health confirm zero coronavirus cases have been linked to gatherings held by the Hillsong megachurch, saying the congregation has been the subject of mistaken identity.
Hills Shire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hills Shire. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Coronavirus: what your council can do for you
- Coronavirus: How NSW homeowners, business owners can defer loans
Christian mega-church Hillsong has slammed social media “innuendo” that falsely claimed a conferences it hosted earlier this month had sparked a cluster outbreak of coronavirus.
The conferences were held at the International Convention Centre, Sydney from March 5 to 7 and the Hillsong Convention Centre, Norwest from March 12-14.
A Hillsong spokesman told NewsLocal there was no evidence linking the mega church to any case of coronavirus, “nor have we had any reports from health authorities or any individual”.
A NSW Health spokesman confirmed no cases were reported following the Hillsong events — which were held just days before the Federal Government enforced strict restrictions on public worship gatherings across the country.
The NSW Health spokesman said social media users were mistaking Hillsong for a Ryde-based congregation, known as Sydney Church of Christ, where a nine-person COVID-19 cluster had been reported.
The Hillsong congregation’s spokesman set the record straight and went one step further, imploring the media to “not to engage in or comment on social media speculation and innuendo, and to avoid stirring up false controversy,” he said.
“Australians are looking to the media for facts and information.”
The false claims had circulated widely on social media, particularly on Twitter over the last several days.
Hillsong church was established in 1983 by husband and wife pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston.