Coronavirus: Pacific community on edge as five new COVID-19 cases linked to its churches

The Pacific community is on edge after five of Friday's nine COVID-19 cases were linked to several churches. 

Pacific leaders say they're scared and warned COVID-19 would hit hard if it got in their community. 

On Friday they took action, delivering 40,000 masks to churches to help protect vulnerable families. 

It may seem like a small gesture, but for Father Michael's 165 families, it could be the difference between getting sick or not.

"It's keeping them safe - that's the most important thing for our communities here in the south [Auckland]," he told Newshub.

Father Michael is one of 60 church leaders who put out a plea for help. That was answered by a team of volunteers. 

Because this time, it's the Pacific community that's been hit the hardest.

Friday's new cases announcement did little to settle nervousness about how fast and far the coronavirus may be spreading. 

"We are scared," said Tuala Tusani of the ASA Foundation. "We've been talking about this for months.

Coronavirus: Pacific community on edge as five new COVID-19 cases linked to its churches
Photo credit: Newshub.

"As soon as it hits the Pacific it will hit quick."

And its impact is already being felt.

"While dropping off masks they've been asking for food parcels," Tusani said. "We don't have any food parcels. We don't have any food. 

"This is all we can do at the moment."