Legendary gospel artist Fred Hammond has contracted coronavirus.
He disclosed his diagnosis to his fans on Saturday in a four-minute video posted to social media.
Hammond, a platinum-selling singer and producer, performs both as a solo artist and member of gospel group Commissioned. His work has inspired the genre’s contemporary evolution over the past three decades.
whose work as both a solo artist and member of Gospel group Commissioned has inspired the genre’s contemporary evolution over nearly four decades.
As stated in the clip, Hammond was five days into his quarantine after taking a COVID-19 last Monday that returned results that same day. He posted to his IG stories Monday that he was taking the test, but didn’t address the diagnosis until Saturday.
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Although the worst of the symptoms occurred last weekend, Hammond said his doctor is unaware “what side I’m on” of the prognosis. Hammond says he has three doctors on “speed dial” and another doctor who cares for him daily while in isolation.
The Grammy-winner stated that he believes that he contracted the virus after he let his “guard down one place” during a gathering without his mask on. However, he contends that he’s always been a “mask wearer” and the caption for the video reads “Mask is not a political statement.”
Hammond stated that a relative who was with him at the gathering rushed to hospital with COVID-19, but has since been discharged.
The singer revealed that last summer while touring with Commissioned he was very sick and believes he may not have survived contracting the virus had he been infected at that time, but has a “better chance to fight it” now that he’s healthier. He had been given a clean bill of health during a September doctor’s visit.
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Hammond says he intends to continue to update his fans on his condition and post his health regimen of vitamins and teas and ailments on his social media. Hammond thanked his fans for their prayers and says he will remain positive and faithful through his condition.
“Can’t worry about it,” Hammond said. “It is what it is. God is in control.”
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