The Tompkins County Health Department is alerting the public of a potential COVID-19 exposure. The Health Department received notification of an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 and worked at the Lansing Target Store Customer Service Desk at the Shops at Ithaca Mall during the time when they could have infected others. The individual is a resident of another county, and their respective county is managing the contact investigation. Close contacts of the individuals will be contacted by the respective county’s Health Department.
Potential public exposures may have occurred at the Lansing Target Customer Service Desk, 40 Catherwood Road, Ithaca during the following dates and times:
- Tuesday November 3, 1:45pm – 10:30pm
If you were at the Lansing Target Store Customer Service Desk during the date 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. Regular hours for the Sampling Site and Call Center are Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:00PM.
- Cayuga Health System has expanded hours on Saturday, November 14 from 8:00am – 12:00pm
- 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.
- 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.
The individual who tested positive is in isolation and the contact investigation is being managed by the Health Departments in their county of residence.
“As we see an increase in cases in our community and region, we may see an increase in potential public exposures like this one. It is critical that anyone who may have been present at the customer service desk get tested and monitor themselves for symptoms. Testing is one of our best tools for stopping the spread, we’ve caught many positives and helped to keep people from infecting others by testing those who might have been exposed,” stated Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director. “Target’s management shared with us the protocols they follow to keep all areas of the store clean, and they require all customers and employees to wear a mask while in the store. To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, we’re reminding everyone to continue to wear a mask, stay six feet apart, and consider density when going out.”
For local updates and information, check the TCHD website.
Individuals who traveled to or from a non-contiguous state must quarantine for a period of 14 days when entering New York or follow the travel-related testing guidelines. More information about the travel-related testing guidelines can be found 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 non-essential travel.
- 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.
