Law. Co. Health Department announces COVID spike

 Freedom Christian Center, 17044 Highway 39, was the site of a revival July 5-7, which resulted in eight people being infected with COVID-19. An infected revival attendee spread the sickness at the event, and also worked one day while infected at Legacy Meats Co., an off-shoot of Freedom Christian Center. Pastor Tony Swillum, senior pastor at the Freedom Center, said Sunday services there are suspended. Swillum said they made the decision to do that after speaking with officials and determining that it was the best course of action for those living in the area. “They just requested that we do it, so, of course, we did,” he said. “We want to try to help our community and do all that we can.” (Photo by Ryan Squibb)

 The Lawrence County Health Department announced July 10 that Freedom Christian Church, located between Aurora and Mt. Vernon on Highway 39, is the source of a recent spike in COVID-19 numbers in the county. Of the 15 new COVID cases in Lawrence County—bringing the total to 69—eight are linked to Freedom Christian Church.
Earlier last week the LCHD released a public plea to anyone who attended the Freedom Christian Revival from July 5-7 to quarantine at home for 14 days.
One of the confirmed cases not only attended the revival while symptomatic, the careless person who was not masked at anytime, also worked at Legacy Meats Co. Tuesday, July 7 while infectious. Legacy Meats Co. is also affiliated with Freedom Christian Center. It was noted in the press release, however, that meat from Legacy Meats does not need to be disposed of due to the exposure.
“We will be advising Freedom Christian Church not to hold any church services or any other event until we can determine that it is safe for the public to return,” the LCHD stated in the press release. “We are still in the process of the investigation and will post more information as it is received.”
Of the 15 new cases, four are attributed to previously confirmed family members; three other cases included one exposure at EFCO, one community exposure and one is still under investigation.
 The following is a list of locations that were exposed by COVID infected individuals:
- Freedom Christian Church, July 5;
- Mt. Vernon License Bureau July 6;
- Walmart, Mt. Vernon, July 6;
- Grande Tire, Aurora, July 7;
- Texas Roadhouse, Springfield, July 7;
- Red Barn, Mt. Vernon, July 8

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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