Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) would like to inform the public that one of its students has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The student is a part of our Adventures in Missions (AIM) department (a ministry which trains college age men and women to serve alongside experienced missionaries as apprentices). This is a ministry supported by Churches of Christ. On Saturday evening, March 14th we hosted the graduation of the AIM class of 2020 at the Family Life Center of the Sunset Church of Christ. Immediately following was another event called Camp Adventure that was originally scheduled to go from March 14th to March 19th. The decision was made to end the camp early (3/18) as new developments revealed that the first cases of Coronavirus had arrived in Lubbock. The infected AIM student who, was an attendee to both the graduation and Camp Adventure, only noticed symptoms of the Coronavirus Thursday, March 19th. The student notified AIM staff and immediately went to be medically evaluated. The attendee received notice today that the test result was positive. Upon learning this information AIM put all students and staff on quarantine, notified the Sunset Church of Christ that someone who had attended graduation received a positive test result for Coronavirus, and then began contacting all people who were present for the camp. All who were present were asked to quarantine themselves, watch for symptoms, and follow the recommendations set forth by the CDC.
When the decision was made to move forward with these previously scheduled events there was as yet no globally declared pandemic. There had not yet been any reported cases of COVID-19 in Lubbock County and the local government had not yet placed limits on activities which would have affected these two events. Those who participated in the subsequent camp were checked multiple times daily for evidence of a fever or symptoms of the virus. They were cautioned against physical contact and were constantly encouraged to practice safe social distances. Hand sanitizer was in constant use by attendees. All possible precautions were taken and yet the student somehow came in contact with the virus. We are deeply concerned for the student’s health as well as for the health of all in our community. We are grieved that this situation has the potential to negatively impact others, especially those at the Sunset Church of Christ, and we will be praying for God’s mercy to overrule for the sake of all concerned.
Timothy A. Burow
President
Share
