Coronavirus Alert Issued After Eatery Reports Infected Staffer

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has issued an alert about potential exposure related to an employee at a restaurant who tested positive for COVID-19 — and customers may have been exposed, too.

The Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery in Raymond reported Tuesday on Facebook that an employee, a bartender, who was "fully masked," had contracted the new coronavirus recently. The employee's last shift was Sunday.

Health officials in New Hampshire said Friday the department had conducted "a contact investigation and notified known close contacts directly" however, "there may be additional individuals" who were exposed to the coronavirus.

Specifically, the state has determined anyone in the bar area of the restaurant between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on July 24, July 25, and July 26, may have been exposed to the virus.

"COVID-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of taste or smell," the State Joint Information Center said. "Any person who develops new symptoms should stay home, limit their contact with others, immediately contact their healthcare provider and get tested for COVID-19.

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State health officials believe COVID-19 continues to circulate despite low-to-no active infection rates in most of New Hampshire's communities.

Granite Staters can protect themselves and help prevent further infections by performing the following actions:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with others. When outside your home, keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others. This is known as "social distancing."
• Wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you have a fever or are not feeling well.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The state of New Hampshire has multiple testing options for potential exposed residents whether they have symptoms or not. Contact your primary care provider or, if you don’t have health insurance, call 603-271-5980 to schedule a test.

For more information on COVID-19 in New Hampshire, visit the state's COVID-19 information page here.

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