The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed that an attendee of a church service and a restaurant server have tested positive for COVID-19. The potential exposures were at the following locations and times:
Herald of Joy Evangelical Church, 3994 Split Rock Road, Camillus
Sunday, September 6, 10:00 am service
Applebee’s Grill + Bar, 3975 Route 31, Liverpool
Tuesday, September 8, 4:00-9:15 pm
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 these locations during the times 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 leaders stay 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. It is strongly recommended that attendees of services be required to wear face coverings at all times while in the facility and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between individuals (unless members of the same household). It is also recommended that all services have a sign-in sheet for attendees to provide contact information for the purpose of notification and contact tracing if there is potential exposure.
It is crucial that residents be diligent and continue to do their part to prevent further spread of COVID-19. With flu season approaching, it is especially important to receive a flu shot since influenza and COVID-19 viruses will be co-circulating in the upcoming months. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about getting a flu vaccine before the end of October.
Information and guidance related to COVID-19 changes daily. We are continually updating our website 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.