The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed 8 new cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), all with no recent travel history to China on Feb. 13.

One of the biggest clusters of confirmed cases is linked to the Grace Assembly of God church.

Five of the new confirmed cases are linked to the church, making it a total of seven cases (Cases 48, 49, 51, 53, 54, 57 and 58).

Senior Pastor tested positive, apologises for adding another concern to his congregation

Following MOH's announcement, the church posted a message on its Facebook page, confirming even more bad news for its congregation.

Its own senior pastor, Wilson Teo, has tested positive for Covid-19, and is currently warded in the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).

He said in his message to his church,

"I am sorry for adding another concern to you with this news. Rest assured that I am recovering well! I am looking forward to my full recovery, when I will share with all of you on Grace Assembly's journey in overcoming this virus...this virus will not defeat us!"

Grace Assembly will stop all services and activities for two weeks

In his message, Teo announced that the church will stop all their services and activities for two weeks from Feb. 12.

Teo said that it is "a very difficult time for the church".

He added that they have received many questions and heard many concerns, but some of them were beyond their immediate ability to respond.

However, Teo is grateful to those who lend their support to the church.

He said that he is moved by the courage of his congregation -- some of whom have offered to send meals and buy groceries for those who are being quarantined.

The church premises at both Grace@Tanglin and Grace@BukitBatok will also be closed from Feb. 14 - Feb. 25 and reopen on Feb. 26.

Top images from Google Streetview and Grace Assembly of God website.