Priest who serves in Pittsburgh's Oakland-area grouping tests positive for covid-19

A priest who had been in isolation as a result of being exposed to someone else who tested positive for covid-19 has himself been diagnosed with the disease, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said.

The Rev. Adam Potter, who served as an assistant priest for the parishes in the city’s Greenfield, Hazelwood and Oakland grouping was given the news Sunday, the diocese said.

Potter also serves as chaplain at Oakland Catholic High School.

Another priest, the Rev. Thomas Gramc, who serves for the Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and Scott grouping in the South Hills, was also in isolation after showing symptoms of covid-19. Gramc is also chaplain of Seton LaSalle High School.

Neither priest has had any contact with students or faculty of the high schools since they closed March 13, the diocese said. Gramc is also being tested for covid-19, the diocese said.

The other members of the clergy teams where Potter and Gramc serve started 14-day voluntary quarantines on Saturday, the diocese said.

Confirmation of Potter’s coronavirus test comes after Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik announced Saturday that all churches in the diocese will be locked and confessions, weddings, funerals and baptisms are suspended until further notice, according to the diocese.

For more information about the diocesan response to coronavirus, click here.