Public Health Works Closely with Local Restaurant To Handle Positive COVID-19 Cases
XENIA, OH – Greene County Public Health (GCPH) officials are working closely with Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia after it was discovered that several employees tested positive for COVID-19. According to Nick’s owner, Marc Perkins, “Our main concern is the well-being of our employees, guests and the community at large. We recently became aware that we have four employees who tested positive for Coronavirus. We have made the decision to voluntarily close Nick’s to the public temporarily.”
Public Health officials are asking that all who dined at Nick’s between October 21st and October 31st, 2020, monitor their health for symptoms of COVID-19 for the next 14 days. COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and may include:
• Cough
• Fever (100.4°F or higher) or chills
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face
Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. If you experience any of the symptoms listed, GCPH officials urge you to get tested as soon as possible.
Health Commissioner Melissa Howell stated “We want to remind our business community of what to do when positive cases of COVID-19 are discovered within your business. It is imperative you take the appropriate action to address the situation. You can find helpful guidance for restaurants, bars, and banquet and catering facilities by visiting this link: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/Restaurants-and-Bars.pdf.”
Howell would also like to remind the public about dining out safely. “It is evident by our county’s increase in numbers that many of our citizens have become complacent about masks, social distancing, and handwashing – the safety protocols that we have been recommending since March. We urge you not to be lulled into a false sense of security about the seriousness of the SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19, virus. Now is the time to take action to protect yourself, your family, and the community at large”, she added.
When Dining at a Local Restaurant
Check the restaurant’s COVID-19 prevention practices before you go
• Check the restaurant’s website and social media to see if they have updated their information to address any COVID-19 safety guidelines.
• Before you go to the restaurant, call and ask if all staff are wearing masks while at work.
• Ask about options for self-parking to remove the need for a valet service.
Take steps to protect yourself at the restaurant
• Wear masks when less than 6 feet apart from other people or indoors.
• Take precautions – like wearing a mask as much as possible when not eating and maintaining a proper social distance if you are dining with others who don’t live with you.
• Maintain a social distance of 6 feet or more in any entryway, hallway, or waiting area.
• When possible, sit outside at tables spaced at least 6 feet apart from other people.
• When possible, choose food and drink options that are not self-serve to limit the use of shared serving utensils, handles, buttons, or touchscreens.
Clean hands
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when entering and exiting the restaurant. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Before using the restroom, make sure there is enough soap and a way to dry your hands (e.g., paper towels, hand dryer), or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
For more information on COVID-19, visit GCPH’s COVID-19 page at healthalert.gcph.info/COVID19, or call ODH’s call center at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH or visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
