Potential COVID-19 Exposure at Local Church and Business

The Onondaga County Health Department received confirmation on August 21, 2020 that an attendee at a local church and an employee at a local pub have tested positive for COVID-19. The potential exposures occurred at the following:

Slavic Full Gospel Church, 3528 East Genesee Street, Syracuse
Sunday, August 9, 9:00 am service and luncheon following

Saltine Warrior Sports Pub, 214 West Water Street, Syracuse
Friday, August 14, 9:30 pm to 2:00 am
Saturday, August 15, 9:30 pm to 2:00 am

Health Department investigators are in the process of identifying all close contacts of the individuals and notifying them. Members of the public who were at the locations during the timeframes listed may have been exposed and should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the date of potential exposure. If symptoms do develop, stay home, and call your doctor for further guidance. If you are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised, call your doctor early even if your illness is mild. In an emergency call 911. Testing is also widely available, and anyone can get tested for COVID-19 by calling their healthcare provider or visiting the drive-thru clinic at Syracuse Community Health Center.

With more faith communities reopening for in-person services, it is important that leadership stays up to date with all guidance to reduce the risk of exposures to COVID-19. It is critical that congregants are asked to stay home if they are sick. Attendees of services must be required to wear face coverings except when seated and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between individuals (unless members of the same household). It is recommended that masks are worn at all times and that all services have a sign-in sheet for attendees to provide contact information including name, address, and phone number for the purpose of notification and contact tracing if there is a potential exposure of COVID-19. In addition, faith communities should educate congregants about the steps they can take to protect themselves at work and at home.

At businesses and other workplaces, employers must take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. All employers should implement a plan that identifies and controls all areas and job tasks with potential exposures to COVID-19, conduct daily symptom and temperature screening of employees before they enter the facility, require face masks and frequent hand washing, ensure social distancing, tell employees to stay home when sick, and educate their staff about steps they can take to protect themselves at work and at home.

It is crucial that all members of the community be diligent and continue to do their part to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Information and guidance related to COVID-19 changes daily. We are continually updating our website, covid19.ongov.net to provide easy access to accurate and timely local information. Also regularly visit the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites for statewide and national updates about COVID-19.