FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – A parishioner of the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Georgia Road, who died last week had tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a post on the St. Robert Bellarmine Facebook page, on March 15 the church received permission from the family of Rita Fusco-Jackson that it was being permitted to announce her passing.
Fusco-Jackson was involved in the parish choir and the religious education program. After a review of the last two weeks, church officials said they determined the participation in church activities by members of her family was minimal, according to the Facebook post.
According to the Facebook post:
• Fusco-Jackson was a teacher in the confirmation program and was in attendance at a retreat held on Feb. 29. She was in the second shift of teacher volunteers and was a hall monitor. Her contact with retreat participants was minimal;
• Another family member is a fifth grade teacher at the Tuesday 4:15 p.m. session. That individual has been self-quarantined. She was not in class during the preceding week;
• Two students, both members of the same family, also attend the Tuesday 4:15 p.m. session. The students have been self-quarantined and were not in class during the preceding week;
• All were asymptomatic prior to being quarantined.
Church officials said the Monmouth County Health Department is available to answer questions and to assist anyone who believes they or members of their family had been in close contact with Fusco-Jackson in recent weeks. The health department may be reached at 732-431-7456.