Catholic archbishop for south Alabama positive for COVID-19

FILE - This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the spherical coronavirus particles from what was believed to be the first U.S. case of COVID-19. A new analysis of blood samples from 24,000 Americans taken early last year is the latest and largest study to suggest that the coronavirus popped up in the U.S. in December 2019 — weeks before cases were first recognized by health officials. (C.S. Goldsmith, A. Tamin/CDC via AP) FILE - This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the spherical coronavirus particles from what was believed to be the first U.S. case of COVID-19. A new analysis of blood samples from 24,000 Americans taken early last year is the latest and largest study to suggest that the coronavirus popped up in the U.S. in December 2019 — weeks before cases were first recognized by health officials. (C.S. Goldsmith, A. Tamin/CDC via AP)

By Associated Press October 7, 2021 1 min read

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) – The top Roman Catholic church official for south Alabama, Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, tested positive for COVID-19 and is quarantining at home, the church said Tuesday.

While Rodi’s flu-like symptoms were mild, everyone who came in close contact with him has been notified, according to a statement by the Archdiocese of Mobile. The church’s main downtown office was closed.

Rodi, who is fully vaccinated and tested positive on Monday, canceled all appearances and won’t resume public appearances until he is cleared by a doctor, the statement said.

The Archdiocese includes the lower 28 counties in Alabama.