A third apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has tested positive for COVID-19.
Elder Ulisses Soares, 62, the junior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Rosana Soares, recently tested positive and have recovered, church spokesman Eric Hawkins said. They both experienced mild symptoms during the holidays.
“They were both at home, away from other church leaders, and were able to completely recover before returning to full activity,” church spokesman Eric Hawkins said.
Elder Soares became the church’s first Latin American apostle when he was sustained on March 31, 2018.
Two previous members of the Quorum of the Twelve have tested positive for COVID-19. Elder Gerrit W. Gong quarantined at home during the church’s October general conference after a possible exposure to the coronavirus and pre-recorded his remarks. He and his wife, Sister Sharon Gong, tested positive after the conference.
The Gongs completed their quarantines 10 days later and when Elder Gong presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Taylorsville Utah Temple on Halloween, he said they had recovered completely.
Elder Dale G. Renlund and his wife, Sister Ruth Renlund, tested positive for COVID-19 in early December, a church spokesman said on Dec. 5.
Two days later, the church released a video recorded before Elder Renlund’s positive test in which he spoke about the precautions required of church members who attend re-opening temples.
“Wearing a face covering is a sign of Christlike love for our brothers and sisters,” Elder Renlund said. “COVID-19 is serious. Its consequences are not yet fully understood.”
Elder Renlund initially experienced mild symptoms and Sister Renlund was asymptomatic. On Dec. 10, a spokesman said they were doing well and had resumed their normal work in quarantine.
The positive tests for the Gongs and Renlunds prompted tests for other senior church leaders in October and December. Those tests were negative.