Father Zachary Peterson, Associate Pastor of the Good Teacher Area Faith Community for the past five years, recently tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies through Sanford Hospital in Canby.

Local priest tests positive for COVID-19 antibodies

Father Zachary Peterson, Associate Pastor of the Good Teacher Area Faith Community for the past five years, recently tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies through Sanford Hospital in Canby.

Because the test revealed that he no longer has COVID-19, Father Peterson is basically immune because he has developed antibodies that neutralize the virus before it can settle into the lungs.

After being self-quarantined for two months in the St. Peter Church Rectory in Canby, Father Peterson can now resume normal ministry activities.

Masses will begin at one-fourth capacity beginning this weekend in the Good Teacher Area Faith Community, which includes the churches of St. Edward in Minneota, St. Peter's in Canby, St. Leo in St. Leo, St. Eloi in Ghent and St. James in Dawson.

"I started getting symptoms back in February," he said. "That was before the shutdown and before anyone was really being tested. I thought it might be COVID-19 because there were cases in New York and quite a few in Italy, so I knew what the symptoms were."

Among the symptoms Father Peterson experienced with the COVID-19 was breathing difficulties, severe sinus congestion, elevated heart rate for over a week, and soreness in his muscles and joints for several days. He did not, however, experience a fever or lose his sense of smell or food, as are also common symptoms of COVID-19.

Because Father Peterson has a heart condition that would make him more of a risk, Bishop LeVoir insisted he self-quarantine himself when the shutdown first occurred in mid-March.

"I've been self-quarantined for about two months now, but I was out and about in early to mid-February and may have had the virus at that time," Father Peterson said. "So I would urge anyone who had contact with me in February to get a a COVID-19 antibody test."

Father Peterson began seeking a way to get tested in mid-April when some of his parishioners that work at Sanford Hospital in Canby let him know when they had available testing there.

"I was tested about a week ago," he said. "The took a vile of blood and sent it to a lab in Sioux Falls where they do something like 4,000 tests a day."

Shortly after, Father Peterson was told his had tested positive for the COVID-19 antibody.

"That's why I urge everyone to get tested," he said. "I think there are a lot of people who may have it and not know it because they don't show any symptoms. But they could still be asymptomatic carrier."

Pending further restrictions, Father Peterson will transfer to Sleepy Eye on July 1 where he has been appointed to serve as senior associate pastor in the Divine Mercy AFC, which includes the churches of St. Paul in Comfrey, Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth, St. Michael in Morgan, and St. Mary's in Sleepy Eye.
This is a link to all the hospitals/clinics that offer COVID-19 antibody testing. https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/testing-locations/index.jsp. Just search for your city/county.

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