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NC’s top health official discusses safety at religious gatherings after outbreak at Charlotte church

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 spoke one-on-one with North Carolina’s top health official about an outbreak at a Charlotte church.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen pointed to the United House of Prayer for All People as an example of of how the virus can tear through a congregation.

As of Friday, there are 181 positive COVID-19 cases and six deaths connected to a convocation held at the church.

“You don’t want to see deaths within your close circle of people that you go to church with or other worship services,” Cohen said.

>> In the video at the top of the page, Eyewitness News reporter Susanna Black learns about the legal limitations the state has when churches violate COVID-19 restrictions.