El Paso’s Catholic Bishop Seitz tests negative for virus after release from Covid-19 quarantine

UPDATE #2, Oct. 15: The El Paso Catholic Diocese said the latest test results came back Thursday showing Bishop Mark Seitz is negative for Covid-19.

UPDATE, Oct. 14: Catholic Bishop Mark Seitz was released from Covid-19 quarantine by the El Paso Department of Public Health on Wednesday, according to the diocese.

Early last week, Seitz had tested positive for the virus after experiencing minor symptoms that included a low-grade fever.

Officials indicated Seitz had been free of a fever or any other symptoms since Monday and was freed from having to quarantine by the health department.

Although he was tested again for the virus on Wednesday afternoon, those test results are still pending.

ORIGINAL REPORT, Oct. 12: EL PASO, Texas – Bishop Mark Seitz, who tested positive for Covid-19 last week, has now been fever- and symptom-free for more than a week, the El Paso Catholic Diocese reported Monday afternoon.

Seitz is planning to be tested Tuesday morning and is hoping to be released from his quarantine on Wednesday, according to the Diocese.

The bishop has been in quarantine at his home since exhibiting minor symptoms and testing positive last week.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the El Paso community for all their prayers for my recovery,” Seitz said. “I will continue to offer my prayers for all those in our community and throughout the world currently afflicted with this virus, especially those who are hospitalized.”

“I continue to pray for our local, state and national governments as well as all health officials on the front lines as they continue to address this pandemic,” he added.