Ithaca Wegmans coffee shop employee tests positive for coronavirus, Tompkins County warns

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Health Department announced Sunday that a Wegmans employee who works in the coffee shop of its Ithaca store has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Individuals who had close contact (within 6 feet) with any employee of the coffee shop at the Wegmans store at 500 S. Meadow St., between Monday, March 23 and Saturday, April 4, 2020, are asked to 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., between the hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pre-register online at cayugahealth.org/ or call the Cayuga Health Registration Line at (607) 319-5708.
• Self-quarantine in your home for 14 days from the last date you shopped at the Wegmans coffee shop.
• If you seek testing and the result is negative, continue to self-quarantine and monitor yourself for the full 14 days from the last time you shopped at the Wegmans coffee shop. If you become symptomatic, seek testing again.
• Monitor your health for any symptoms of cough, fever, and shortness of breath.

“Communications like this are meant to reduce further exposure by encouraging individuals who may have come in contact with the infected individual to act in the community’s best interest, get tested, and self-quarantine even if they are not exhibiting symptoms,” Frank Kruppa, Tompkins County public health director, said in a statement.

The Wegmans coffee shop is currently closed and a thorough disinfection of the area has been completed, the county said on Sunday. Wegmans management is in the process of instituting additional measures for employees including, distributing masks, temperature checks, and screening for other symptoms prior to each shift.

 “We appreciate the steps Wegmans has taken to date and are implementing moving forward to ensure the health and safety of their employees and patrons,” Kruppa added.