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Virginia Pastor Who Ignored Warnings About COVID-19 Dies From The Virus

AnĀ evangelical pastor from Virginia died from COVID-19Ā after ignoring warnings to avoid large gatherings and hosting services at his church. BishopĀ Gerald O. GlennĀ last held Mass in person at Richmond's New Deliverance Evangelistic Church on March 22. He promised to keep his church open "unless I'm in jail or the hospital."

"I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus. You can quote me on that,"Ā he told his congregation, according to theĀ New York Post.

That was the last service that Glenn hosted in person at his church. The next day Virginia banned gatherings of more than ten people and then issued a formal stay-at-home order the following week.

Not long after the service, Glenn started showing signs of theĀ coronavirusĀ and was diagnosed a week later. His wife was also diagnosed with COVID-19.

On Sunday (April 12), theĀ church announced that Glenn had passed awayĀ the night before.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Bishop Gerald O. Glenn, the Founder, and Pastor of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church," they wrote on Facebook. "Please be in prayer with us for Mother Marcietia Glenn, our first family & the NDEC church family."

To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.


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