Church of Pentecost in Koforidua serves communion with toothpick over coronavirus fears

The Church of Pentecost has taken a giant step in preventing the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Pentecost International Worship Center (PIWC), a local assembly in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, last Sunday adopted a new way of serving communion to its members.

By convention, during communion, the church put the bread on a plate where members queue to hand pick in turns, together with disposable cups filled with the communion wine.

Church elders and pastors also position themselves to shake hands and congratulate individuals who partake in the Lord’s supper.

But the situation was different on March 1, 2020, at the church.

Starr FM online reported that the District Minister, Pastor Musah Yahaya, announced to the congregation that following the outbreak of the Coronavirus in other countries, the church had decided to use a toothpick to pick the sacramental bread.

He also stated that the church had also suspended the practice of handshakes.

Pastor Yahaya noted that although Ghana had recorded no case of the disease, it was important to be proactive to ensure Ghana did not record any such case.

The coronavirus is fast spreading across the country as 53 countries have so far recorded cases of the disease.

Formally known as COVID-19, the virus has so far infected over 89,000 people across 58 countries.

Italy, the centre of the outbreak in Europe, has so far recorded 1,694 cases whiles France has 130 cases of infected persons.

Countries such as the Czech Republic, Scotland and the Dominican Republic have confirmed first cases.

West African country, Nigeria has also recorded its first case of coronavirus.