PARMA, Ohio — The Cuyahoga County Board of Health is currently conducting testing after six parishioners from the St. Columbkille Parish in Parma, Ohio contracted legionella, which can cause a serious type of pneumonia.
According to a spokesman for the agency, it's unclear how those affected contracted the disease. So as a preventative measure, they have asked the church to shut off their air conditioning units for the weekend. Masses continued as scheduled.
Results from the tests may take up to 10 days to be released.
Below is a statement from St. Columbkille Parish:
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health has notified St. Columbkille Church in Parma of six potential cases of Legionnaires Disease reported by people in the surrounding community who are also parishioners of St. Columbkille Parish. Inspectors from the Board of Health have visited the church multiple times over the last few days and have found no potential cause for the illnesses. However, out of an abundance of caution, church air conditioning units will not be in use this weekend following the recommendation of the Board of Health and pending the results of further testing. St. Columbkille is committed to ensuring the safety of its parishioners and all who may visit.
