RICHMOND, Va. -- Bishop G.O. Glenn and Mother Marcietia Glenn have tested positive for COVID-19, New Deliverance Evangelistic Church officials revealed this weekend.
Community members quickly rallied behind the couple by coming together online and at a drive-thru service Sunday.
"We want to pray for them because our God is a God that answers prayers," New Life Outreach International Church Pastor Victor Torres said, "You know we found out about Pastor Glenn and Mother Marcietia though Facebook and then of course the word started to spread and immediately we began to pray."
Mar-Gerie Crawley, the couple's daughter, said family members noticed their parents were having health issues and started searching for ways to treat their symptoms at home -- especially her dad.
"He has diverticulitis, so it's not uncommon for him to get fevers or you know virus or sinus infection," Crawley explained.
With in a week, Crawley said Bishop Glenn's health worsened after trips to to urgent care and the emergency room.
"The next day he was very lethargic, so my mom decided that evening, once his breathing became labored, she took him back and at that point they kept him," Crawley said. "They did the COVID-19 test on him and we got it back that day and it was positive."
Crawley said her father's breathing improved once doctors began treating him with a ventilator.
Bishop Glenn's services air Sundays at 8:30 a.m. on WTVR CBS 6.
"I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus," Bishop Glenn said in a March 22 sermon, which aired this Sunday.
Glenn delivered that message just one day before the state officially banned gatherings of 10 or more people, but officials had been urging social distancing.
Crawley said that sermon, where more than 10 people were gathered, was held to support to those who were scared and was not meant to defy the state order.
However, Crawley said she is now urging everyone to stay home.
"It becomes very real to you," she said. "I just beg people to understand the severity and the seriousness of this, because people are saying it's not just about us, it's about everyone around us."
Crawley is thankful for the support from the community.
"It's not an easy situation, but the people that are standing with us makes it a little bit more easy to get through it," Crawley.
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COVID-19 Precautions
Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person.
Virginia health officials urged the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.Avoid non-essential travel.