Onondaga County warns of potential COVID-19 exposure at three area businesses

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Onondaga County Health Department on Monday announced recent potential COVID-19 exposures at three local businesses: Nibsy’s Pub in Syracuse, Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard in LaFayette, and a Lowe’s store in Syracuse.

The potential exposures involve two patrons at Nibsy’s Pub, located at 201 Ulster St. in Syracuse on Friday, Oct. 2 between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Also testing positive was a patron who visited Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard at 2708 State Route 80 in LaFayette on Sunday, Oct. 4 between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The individual rode a tractor-pulled wagon into the orchard. Although they were wearing masks, riders were seated close together which “raises the risk of exposure,” per the health department.

The third potential exposure involves an employee at Lowe’s at 131 Simon Dr. in Syracuse who worked during the following days and times: Saturday, Oct. 3 between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 5 between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 6 between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.; and Thursday, Oct. 8 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Health-department investigators are working to identify all close contacts of the individuals and notify them. Those who may have been exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the date of potential exposure. If symptoms do develop, the health department advises people to 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.