Last Friday, the Cleveland Department of Public Health issued a warning after detecting a spike in COVID-19 levels in untreated wastewater samples collected from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. To understand the possible implications of this news, your clergy consulted with St. Paul’s parishioner Dr. Steven Mawhorter, Infectious Disease Specialist at the Cleveland Clinic and a member of the parish’s COVID committee.

Dr. Mawhorter described the warning as precautionary and said there are two things to know about the spike.

First, like all viruses the coronavirus mutates. The recent variant is more different from previous variants than in the past. Because of this, our immunity to the new variant, whether received either through previous infection or vaccination, may not be as robust. He stressed this isn’t a certainty. It is, however, a possibility.

Second, he noted that a significant uptick in COVID-19 levels in untreated wastewater samples indicates a strong likelihood of increased community spread in the coming days or weeks.

In response, here’s what St. Paul’s is doing:

• The staff will make sure that there’s an ample supply of masks and hand sanitizer at the entrances to the church.

• The balcony will continue to be reserved for those who are immunocompromised. If you are not, please be considerate of those who are by allowing them space where they can worship more safely.

A couple of suggestions:

• Worship outdoors with us (weather permitting) at the 9 a.m. service.

• Worship online with us at the 10:30 a.m. service (remember, we’re on the summer schedule!)

• When receiving Holy Communion, please don’t intinct (or dip) the bread in the wine. It’s been St. Paul’s practice not to intinct for a while, but it is more important now. And remember, receiving communion in one kind – either bread or wine – is full communion.

During our conversation with Dr. Mawhorter, he reflected on last Sunday’s lesson from Proverbs in which we learn that God first created Wisdom. Wisdom about how to proceed and love for our neighbors (especially the most vulnerable) are potent tools for us to keep everyone in our community healthy!

If you have any questions, please contact St. Paul’s Interim Rector, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Applegate.