An evangelistic event held earlier this month in northern Alberta is behind at least 29 cases of COVID-19 in Western Canada.
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The Alberta Public Health Branch has confirmed 12 of these cases, while the British Columbia Department officially declared 17 people linked to the “It Is Time Canada” positive for COVID-19.
This Christian evangelistic event was held under a marquee from July 30 to August 2, on a farm in the small village of Deadwood. The schedule for the 2020 edition, available on the organization’s website, includes several group meals and collective prayers.
A protocol indicating the various measures taken by the organizers in the context of the pandemic is still online. The promoter, evangelist Chris Lindberg, had been juggling the idea of canceling the festival this year because of the coronavirus crisis, according to the report. Star.
He ultimately decided that the event would take place as planned at his farm in northern Alberta.
“The Lord spoke to me,” he said in a Facebook video. There has never been a more crucial time to bring together Christians and concerned citizens. ”
“I know God will protect us and use us to shake up this nation,” the farmer added. He admitted, a few days after the religious celebration, that a few participants had contracted COVID-19.
Then, on August 12, more than a week after the event, Chris Lindberg made it known on his Facebook page that he himself had COVID-19.
“I have been diagnosed with COVID. And I’m in quarantine here until August 17th. I don’t know anyone else in this region who has contracted COVID, and I thank God for it, ”he dropped in a video.
However, authorities have identified at least 29 cases of COVID-19 directly or indirectly linked to this religious celebration, most of them in the region of Fort Saint John, in northern British Columbia.
In addition, a dozen people are in isolation as Public Health has determined that they have had close contact with one of those infected.
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