COVID19 2020-08-22 Health Alert Simeons Bistro Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

The Tompkins County Health Department received notification that an employee of Simeon’s American Bistro tested positive for COVID-19. The individual worked multiple shifts at Simeon’s, located at 224 E State St., Ithaca, NY.

Potential exposures may have occurred during the following dates and times at Simeon’s:

• Tuesday, August 18, 11:00AM-2:00PM, 4:30-9:30PM
• Wednesday, August 19, 11:00AM-2:00PM, 4:30-9:30PM
• Thursday, August 20, 11:00AM-2:00PM, 4:30-9:30PM
• Friday, August 21, 11:00AM-2:00PM

If you dined at Simeon’s, indoors or outdoors, 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 between special hours 12:00PM-5:00PM on Sunday, August 23.  The Sampling Site will have limited public appointments on Sunday, August 23 and Monday, August 24. Regular hours for the Sampling Site and Call Center are Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:00PM
• Monitor your health for any symptoms of cough, fever, and shortness of breath for 14 days from the last time you dined at Simeon’s. 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 dined at Simeon’s. If you become symptomatic, seek testing again.

Simeon’s American Bistro is closed temporarily allowing for thorough cleaning of their facilities.

“The COVID-19 virus continues to be present in our community. Our vigilance and adherence to guidance has kept our numbers low. We are encouraging people to be cautious and continue to consider density, keep distance, wear face coverings, and wash hands well and often to stop the spread of COVID-19,” stated Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director.

“Simeon’s notified their staff right away and is taking all necessary precautions. They reopened for on-site dining in phase four with a thorough plan including requiring staff to wear masks at all times, and are following that plan as they clean their facilities. Staff and close contacts identified by the health department are in quarantine,” stated Kruppa. “We’re seeing businesses follow their reopening plans closely, this has been key to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

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.