Three more Queens priests test positive for COVID-19

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Three more Queens priests tested positive for COVID-19. Catholic institutions and churches, including the Vatican, pictured, have shut their doors to visitors as the outbreak spreads. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

Three more Queens priests tested positive for COVID-19. Catholic institutions and churches, including the Vatican, pictured, have shut their doors to visitors as the outbreak spreads. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

By Victoria Merlino

Three Queens priests tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days, the Diocese of Brooklyn said in a statement on Tuesday. 

The priests ministered at St. Gabriel’s Church in East Elmhurst, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary & St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish in Ozone Park, Our Lady of the Angelus Church in Rego Park.

St. Gabriel’s priest last participated in church services on March 12, at 7 p.m. The priest at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary led an overseas trip that left on March 6 and returned on March 16. The priest at the Lady of the Angelus Church last participated in mass on March 13 at 6:30 p.m. 

“As a result of this information, the above Churches have undergone or will undergo a deep cleaning and sanitization, with approved disinfectants, following guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the Diocese of Brooklyn, which also serves Queens, said in a statement. 

All Catholic churches and schools in Queens and Brooklyn are closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The Diocese has officially cancelled in-person masses on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, the holiest week in the Catholic church.