Diagram shows how coronavirus spread around Sydney church

Health experts have, for a long time, been warning about how easily coronavirus spreads, but the mapping of a cluster at a Sydney church has proved just how infectious it can be.

A diagram, created by health experts studying COVID-19, has shown how easily the virus can spread.

 

Field epidemiologist and public health physician, Dr Anthea Katelaris, led the study into the coronavirus cluster at Our Lady of Lebanon church, in the western Sydney suburb of Harris Park.

The study looked at the outbreak of coronavirus at the church, which kicked off on July 18 after an 18-year-old man, a choir singer at the church, tested positive.

The teenager had sung at four church services – one on July 15, one on July 16, and two on July 17 – from a choir loft.

A diagram, posted to Twitter by Dr Katelaris, showed how coronavirus spread around the western Sydney church.

"This cluster occurred despite adherence to guidelines requiring microphone use and a three-metre cordon around singers," the study concluded.

"Guidelines for places of worship were tightened after this cluster was detected, including increasing the distance required around a singer to five metres.

"However additional mitigation measures might be necessary to prevent airborne infection during church services and singing, including increased natural or artificial ventilation moving activities outdoors."

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