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Holy water ban to halt swine flu | Holy water ban to halt swine flu |
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A bishop has advised that holy water be removed from churches in a bid to halt the spread of swine flu. | A bishop has advised that holy water be removed from churches in a bid to halt the spread of swine flu. |
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend John Gladwin, said at some churches people were invited make a sign of the cross using holy water. | The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend John Gladwin, said at some churches people were invited make a sign of the cross using holy water. |
"The water in stoups can easily become a source of infection and a means of rapidly spreading the virus," he said. | "The water in stoups can easily become a source of infection and a means of rapidly spreading the virus," he said. |
In a directive to priests in Essex, he added: "It is not our intention at this stage to cause panic." | In a directive to priests in Essex, he added: "It is not our intention at this stage to cause panic." |
He said priests should also advise members of their congregation who have flu-like symptoms to stay at home. | He said priests should also advise members of their congregation who have flu-like symptoms to stay at home. |
Face masks | Face masks |
The Bishop also issued advice about taking holy communion warning if anyone had flu-like symptoms not to "drink wine from the chalice". | The Bishop also issued advice about taking holy communion warning if anyone had flu-like symptoms not to "drink wine from the chalice". |
He assured congregations that they could receive full holy communion by just taking the wafer of bread. | He assured congregations that they could receive full holy communion by just taking the wafer of bread. |
He discouraged pastoral visits and said if a visit was necessary priests should wear sterile gloves, an apron and a face mask. | He discouraged pastoral visits and said if a visit was necessary priests should wear sterile gloves, an apron and a face mask. |
Chaplain Chris Newlands added: "People need to be reassured that the church is doing everything it can to stop the spread of infection." | Chaplain Chris Newlands added: "People need to be reassured that the church is doing everything it can to stop the spread of infection." |
The advice comes as swine flu-related deaths in the UK rose to 17. | |
On Tuesday, a post-mortem examination ruled that a GP who died after contracting it was not killed by the virus. | On Tuesday, a post-mortem examination ruled that a GP who died after contracting it was not killed by the virus. |
Nearly 200,000 concerned people have contacted NHS Direct since April. | Nearly 200,000 concerned people have contacted NHS Direct since April. |
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