World News – AU – A California pastor died of COVID-19 after his mega-church failed to comply with state health restrictions

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A California pastor died of coronavirus after his mega-church opened its doors despite restrictions on indoor religious services by state health officials, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Bob Bryant, 58, of Water of Life Community Church in San Bernardino County, California, died Monday of COVID-19, the Los Angeles Times reported. According to The Times, Bryant, who was an associate pastor at the mega-church, suffered from severe symptoms of the virus, including pneumonia. The father of four, along with his wife Lori Bryant, tested positive for the virus in November.

His wife asked the community on Jan.. November for prayer. She announced that Bryant was on a ventilator in the hospital and was also having a heart attack.

« It is with a heavy heart that we share Pastor Bob Bryant, who died earlier today in this life and was fully in the presence of Jesus, » the Water of Life Community Church announced on Facebook on Monday. « So many of you have prayed and fought for his welfare and miraculous healing over the past week and a half. It was inspiring to see our church family come together to fight for Pastor Bob and to look after the Bryant family. « 

The Water of Life Community Church, which, according to its website, has an estimated 7. 000 people live, opened its doors to the mega-church in late October and failed to comply with orders from California health officials banning indoor worship to smooth the curve of COVID-19, according to the Los Angeles Times. The restrictions were announced in mid-July. Church attendees are required to maintain social distancing and wear face covering, according to the Church website.

« We’re not trying to break the rules, » Susan DePaola, assistant to the senior pastor, told the LA Times. « You know what we’re doing. « A county spokesman told the newspaper that a letter was issued to the church this week stating compliance with government orders.

DePaola told the LA Times she didn’t know the last time Bryant was at church, and according to the report, he didn’t return after showing symptoms of the virus last month.

According to its COVID-19 tracker, San Bernardino County has 100. 733 cases and 1. 175 deaths. According to The Desert Sun, the county was ranked 10th. Space for districts where cases over 100. 000 are in the United States.

KABC-TV reports that Bryant was loved by his community and is known for helping others. Dan Carroll, the Church’s senior pastor, told KABC-TV: « Bob is one of those giants who can’t be replaced. « 

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Coronavirus, California, Megachurch, Pastor