“Unfortunately, a member of our staff has recently had symptoms related to COVID-19,” the Medaryville pizza eatery reported on social media. “The employee has been off work the past few days once they realized they may have been exposed. We have been in contact with the health department on how to proceed. There is no need for alarm. Our employees have been and will continue to self-monitor, consistently wash their hands and wear masks to keep our customers and each other safe. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through this.”

The Pulaski County Health Department has not disclosed the name of a Winamac restaurant which was recently closed for several days, but has since reopened.

Earlier last week, One-Eyed Jack’s in Winamac posted on social media Tuesday (July 21) it will be closed until July 31. Meanwhile, The Patio Drive-In in Francesville reopened Tuesday after closing for several days.

All four businesses have been guided by the Pulaski County Health Department in addressing the coronavirus issue.

“This makes us all sad, but we have to do what’s right for our staff, our customers and our families,” One-Eyed Jack’s reported in its social media announcement. “We have to be sure that we are all healthy before we return to work.”

The restaurant reports the last day the test-positive employee worked was Friday afternoon, July 17. The employee left after receiving a call that he had possibly been exposed to the virus, and has quarantined alone since that time.

In Francesville, an employee at The Patio received news July 15 that he/she had tested positive for COVID-19. The employee had been tested as a precaution, and had been on temporary leave for several days prior to receiving the results. The drive-in closed to the public when the positive test result was reported.

Also making the announcement on social media, the restaurant reported, “Our team has taken this time to each get tested for COVID-19. Thankfully, all other employees have tested negative. We have also taken this time to bleach and re-sanitize all of our equipment and surfaces.”

The drive-in reopened Tuesday to drive-through service only. Its dining room will remain closed to the public as a safety precaution. Employees will continue to wear protective face masks, wash hands frequently and between serving customers, and practice social distancing the best way possible. Each employee will also be required to have a temperature screening prior to beginning each shift. The employee who tested positive for COVID-19, will remain at home to recover until he/she tests negative for the virus.

County health department director Terri Hansen admits her hands have been full this year, along with other members of the county’s Emergency Management Team, in dealing with the pandemic.

Among her many duties, Hansen has jurisdiction in overseeing restaurants and bars, as well as any business or organization that handles or sells food products, such as groceries and convenience stores.

“Many people just fail to realize how impactful this is,” she says. “It takes just one person to become infected and suddenly, 50 others are involved” either because they, too, contract the virus or because they are co-workers, customers, employers, family members, friends or contacts whose lives are then disrupted by quarantine and loss of work or business.

She is pleased with Indiana Gov. Holcomb’s new mask mandate, which takes effect Monday (July 27), as an important and effective measure to help control the spread of coronavirus.