The latest on COVID-19 exposures in Kingston

Since the announcement of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington public health region, several businesses and organizations have come forward to alert the public to possible exposure to staff or patrons on their premises.

The Kingstonist is following these updates for your reference. Below we have included information as shared directly by these organizations, or as it is reported in other Kingstonist articles.

• Tuesday, June 30: Georgia Nail Salon, via KFL&A press release
• Saturday, June 27: Kingdom Nails and Spa, store closed, via Facebook
• Thursday, June 25: Joe Rishaur, Amherstview Golf Club, modified service, via Facebook Post
• Thursday, June 25: Rankin Construction, Amherst Island Ferry dock, one worker tested positive and construction halted, via statement from Loyalist Township
• Thursday, June 25: Harold Hemberger, Binh’s Nail and Spa, store closed, via direct message
• Wednesday, June 24: Rustic Spud, restaurant closed, via Facebook Post

Sepp’s Ski Shop and St. Vincent de Paul have also shared information about possible, unconfirmed exposure resulting in proactive, cautionary closures. Their messages can be found at the bottom of this article.

Georgia Nail Salon, via KFL&A press release June 30, updated July 2, 2020

Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health issued a self-isolation requirements for all clients of Georgia Nail salon at 4499 Bath Road in Amherstview. All clients who have sought services at this salon from June 12 to June 25 are required to get tested and to self-isolate for 14 days after last exposure regardless of test results. All clients are asked to continue to monitor for symptoms and if they develop symptoms to get re-tested.

Kingdom Nails & Spa, via Facebook post June 27, 2020

“To all our valued Kingdom Nails costumers: It has recently been brought to our attention that one of our staff has tested positive for COVID-19. We are taking this matter very seriously and are working with KFL&A Health Unit to ensure everyone’s safety. Although we have passed all regulations and did not violate and safety measures, we feel that it is our responsibility to ensure that this will not happen again. We will be closed until the Public Health department says that we can open.

“We are very saddened and concerned for our employee, as well as any inconveniences we have caused to you. We are very sorry that this has happened and hope no one has been affected by this. We appreciate all of our costumers and would not exist without your ongoing support.”

Joe Rishaur, Amherstview Golf Club, via Facebook Post Thursday June 25, 2020

“An individual, that has since tested positive for COVID-19, played golf at Amherstview Golf Club on Monday evening. One of our employees came into contact with this individual on our patio who was thus required to get tested. Unfortunately, the employee tested positive for COVID-19. We are all taking this matter very seriously and working in conjunction with the KFL&A Public Health Unit to ensure everyone’s safety. Although we have been following all protocols put in place to provide a safe environment for our staff and patrons, Carolyn and l feel it is our responsibility to take even more aggressive measures to ensure this does not happen again. Although we will still be open for business, we will be closing the patio (bar) until our hospitality staff have been tested. We are deeply saddened and concerned for the affected employee, as well as any inconvenience we have caused to you and our other employees. We are very sorry and shocked that this could have happened at our club. Please continue to support us through all of this. Your Friend, Joe Rishaur”

Rankin Construction, Amherst Island Ferry dock, via statement from Loyalist Township, Thursday June 25, 2020

Loyalist Township has confirmed that on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, they were notified that an individual working for the contractor responsible for the construction of the Amherst Island Ferry Dock tested positive for COVID-19. Other employees and others in the immediate work area have also been tested, with results pending.

“To protect the health of the public and prevent community spread, KFL&A Public Health is investigating and following up with close contacts. For the safety of the public, Ferry crew and dock construction personnel, the Amherst Island Ferry Dock construction project has been halted until further notice,” said Trevor Cornelius, Coordinator of Communications & New Initiatives for Loyalist Township in a press release.

“This reinforces the reality of COVID-19 in our community and I urge individuals to do everything they can to prevent its spread. Please remember to be vigilant by practising physical distancing, washing your hands frequently, staying at home when you are sick, and getting tested if you are experiencing symptoms,” stated Medical Officer of Health of KFL&A Public Health, Dr. Kieran Moore.

Loyalist Township staff say they are working closely with KFL&A Public Health, the Ministry of Transportation, and the General Contractor, Rankin Construction, regarding the situation. Full coverage here.

Harold Hemberger, Binh’s Nails, via direct message Thursday June 25, 2020

“We apologize for this, and would like all our customers to get tested,” said Harold Hemberger, husband of Binh Nguyen.

Nguyen herself has tested positive for COVID-19. Hemberger is awaiting the results of his own test from Thursday, Jun. 25. He noted that the salon had installed plexiglass as a precautionary measure prior to re-opening the salon.

When originally reported, Hemberger indicated that a mother and daughter infected with COVID-19 had come to the salon, initiating the outbreak. On June 26 he provided a further statement that he was unsure of the source. “We would like to tell all of our customers from June 12th on to get tested,” he said.

Hemberger said Nguyen is personally going through her appointment book, to call everyone that came through the salon.

Full coverage here.

The Rustic Spud, Facebook post Tuesday, June 23, 2020

“It has been brought to our attention that one of our staff has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual showed symptoms on Tuesday June 23, and attended a testing facility on the same day. We were informed of the positive test result today, June 24 shortly after the individual received their results. This individual was involved with interior food service only with the exception of a short period on Thursday June 18 on the patio. We have maintained all appropriate safety measures with respect to the food and beverage service of our restaurant since we reopened for business.

“We appreciate that anyone who attended our patio will justifiably have concerns. We have been in contact with the health department and they have tested all of our staff and the results will hopefully be available to us in the next few days. The health officials have indicated to us that anyone that did not have direct and prolonged contacted with the individual or was not at the Spud after Thursday the 18th would be considered a very low risk individual. Having said that anyone that who feels concerned should proceed to the testing areas for the COVID-19 assessment.

At this point we will have to unfortunately remain closed until we are advised by the Public Health department that we are good to reopen.

We hope and trust that all of you understand how much we wished this hadn’t happened and that no one has been affected by this. Our customers are our life and we wouldn’t exist without your on going support.”

The following businesses also shared messages regarding possible, unconfirmed exposure, and their subsequent cautionary closures:

Sepp’s Ski & Snowboard Shop, via Facebook post Friday, June 26, 2020

“A co-worker may have been exposed to Covid-19 recently and we believe the prudent and health conscious course is to close until we receive the results of our friend’s test. Thank you your understanding.”

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Kingston, via Facebook post Thursday June 25, 2020

“Due to possible exposure to COVID-19, we are temporarily closed. We care about the safety and well-being of all of our friends that visit St. Vincent de Paul. We will keep everyone informed as to when we can safely re-open.”

Kingstonist will continue to monitor this outbreak and update this article with any further closures that may ensue.