Advertisement 9 deaths, 35 positive COVID-19 cases reported out of Marrero church, Pastor says Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church leader says the virus is wreaking havoc in their community Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Pastor Thomas J. Brown, Jr. says the coronavirus pandemic has taken an emotional toll on him and his Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church family.He said 35 members of the church tested positive for COVID-19 and 9 members died due to complications from the virus in the last month.Correction: Family members of Oddester Pinkins, a woman named in the original story that aired on Friday, April 10, tells WDSU that Pinkins died of stage four breast cancer – not complications due to the Coronavirus, as previously stated by church officials. This makes the total number of COVID-related deaths at Morning Star MBC 9 instead of 10.“Each day we’re getting reports of our parishioners,” Brown said. “Those who are ill, tested positive, and loved ones of those who have passed on."The names of the deceased are Willie Howard, Cornell Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Evelyn Jones, Eric Joseph, Jeanette Marshall, Harold Nelson, Rufus Tinson, and Ida Williams. Their ages were unconfirmed by church staff as of Friday evening.Pastor Brown said they were all a part of a close-knit congregation of nearly 900 people. Many of the members are age 50 or older. The deaths have become particularly difficult for him, especially since he’s unable to bring comfort to the grieving families up close.“To not be able to do that even now when we talk about social distancing in some circles has created social isolation,” says Brown. “It’s a concern of ours. We believe that social isolation can also lend itself to mental health problems."A spokesperson from Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng’s office says Pastor Brown and other faith leaders were a part of their conference call with the Louisiana Department of Health Thursday. Residents were able to address the concerns in their communities.“This virus is serious and it’s wreaking havoc in the African-American community. We want to make sure that our people do all we can to combat this virus,” says Brown. The church has been streaming services live on their Facebook page, hoping to encourage their members during this pandemic.Parish Councilman Bryon Lee has also spoken with Pastor Brown about Morning Star.“It’s devastating,” says Lee. “We’re hoping to get more data on Morning Star and other areas of our community.”The councilman tells WDSU that his office has started an initiative called Operation First Mask: a program meant to provide face masks to all residents in District 3 and throughout the parish.He's currently looking for community partners to help in this effort.Lee also hopes more people become proactive during this pandemic.“A person’s posture should be, “I may not have tested positive, but I have to behave like I’m positive," says Lee. "If we do that then we’ll see a reduction in numbers of cases.”To learn more about Operation First Mask, call 504-364-2603.