Coronavirus News: Possible COVID exposure at Carmel grocery store

COVID-19 News and Information

Friday, July 10, 2020

COVID NY: Possible coronavirus exposure at Putnam grocery store

Putnam County health officials are warning residents about a possible COVID-19 exposure at a local supermarket.

CARMEL, Putnam County (WABC) -- Putnam County health officials are warning residents about a possible COVID-19 exposure at a local supermarket.

Restaurant owners and Putnam County Health Department have issued a health advisory for the Tops Friendly Markets in Carmel after an employee became symptomatic and subsequently tested positive.

Anyone who worked at or visited the grocery store on July 2 from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or July 5 from 5:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus and is urged to watch for symptoms.

They include:

--Fever

--Chills

--Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

--Fatigue

--Muscle or body aches

--Headache

--New loss of taste or smell

--Sore throat

--Congestion or runny nose

--Nausea

--Vomiting

--Diarrhea

The health department says the risk of exposure to customers is low given the early morning shift of the affected employee, but the alert was issued nevertheless.

Still, contact tracers want to speak with anyone who was shopping or working those days, because not everyone is at the same level of risk.

Anyone with concerns is urged to consult their physician, while anyone with questions can call the Putnam County Department of Health at 845-808-1390.

Putnam County has had over 1,300 coronavirus cases and 61 deaths, but no fatalities or hospitalizations for over a week. A spokesperson for the Buffalo area-based chain issued a statement saying, "We want all customers, vendors, and associates to know that the entire store has been deep cleaned and sanitized in response to this alert."

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