The Tompkins County Health Department is alerting the public of potential COVID-19 exposures. The Health Department received notification of an employee of Arby’s Ithaca who tested positive for COVID-19 and worked multiple shifts. Another individual who tested positive for COVID-19 worked two shifts at the Ithaca Staples. Both individuals are residents of other Counties, and their respective Counties are managing contact investigations. Close contacts of the individuals will be contacted by the respective County’s Health Department.
Potential public exposures may have occurred at Arby’s Ithaca, 328 Elmira Rd., during the following dates and times:
- October 18, 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
- October 21, 4:00 pm - 12:00 am
- October 22, 4:00 pm - 12:00 am
- October 23, 4:00 pm - 12:00 am
- October 24, 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Potential public exposures may have occurred at Staples, 742 S Meadow St., Ithaca during the following dates and times:
- October 17, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- October 18,12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
If you were at any of these businesses during the dates and times above, please do the following:
- It is recommended that you get tested at the Cayuga Health Sampling Site located at The Shops at Ithaca Mall parking lot, 40 Catherwood Rd. Register for an appointment online at cayugahealthsystem.org or call the Cayuga Health Call Center at 607-319-5708. The Cayuga Health Sampling Site will have special hours on Sunday, October 18 and extended hours on Monday, October 19 to accommodate individuals who may have been exposed. Regular hours for the Sampling Site and Call Center are Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:00PM.
- If potentially exposed, Cornell University students should contact Cornell Health at 607-255-5155; do not go to an arrival or surveillance testing site.
- All other students and community members should seek testing at the Cayuga Health Sampling Site.
- Monitor your health for any symptoms of cough, fever, congestion, and shortness of breath for 14 days from the last time you were at any of these businesses. For a full list of symptoms, go to the TCHD website.
- If you seek testing and the result is negative, continue to monitor your health for the full 14 days from the last time you were at any of these businesses. If you become symptomatic, seek testing again.
The individuals who tested positive are in isolation and the contact investigations are being managed by the Health Departments in their County of residence.
“All businesses in Tompkins County are encouraged to continue closely following COVID-19 safety protocols. I remind employers to continue daily screening of employees and urge employees to stay home if they are sick or presenting any symptoms associated with COVID-19,” stated Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director.
For local updates and information, check the TCHD website.
Individuals who have traveled to a state with significant community spread listed on the NYS Travel Advisory must quarantine for 14 days. See an up-to-date list of states on the NYS Travel Advisory webpage. For more information about how to quarantine, refer to the TCHD website.
Everyone can continue to take these steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community:
- Refrain from traveling to states listed in the New York Travel Advisory.
- Keep 6 feet distance between yourself and others when in public.
- Wear a mask at all times in public spaces, especially when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Masks and face coverings must be worn by everyone over age two at all times in public places when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Fines are enforceable for individuals who are in violation of these regulations. Businesses must deny entry to anyone who is not wearing a face covering.
- Non-essential gatherings are limited to 50 people for our region, but must comply with distancing and face covering guidance.
- Wash hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid close and continued contact with other people not in your household.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
To file a complaint about a business or social gathering go to the TCHD website.
The Tompkins County Health Department is your partner for a healthy community. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TompkinsPublicHealth and on Twitter at @TompkinsHealth.
