The Middlesex London Health Unit has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Shish Shawarma and Grill after six employees tested positive for coronavirus.
The restaurant is located at 1401 Ernest Avenue in London’s south end.
The health unit was notified of an initial case on Dec. 1, and closed the restaurant the following day after being notified of two more staff cases. On Thursday the health unit was told about positive tests for three additional employees.
“Investigators are still determining whether any of the six staff members worked while they were infectious. The Health Unit has determined that there may have been a low-risk exposure for some customers,” the health unit said in a statement.
Those who visited the eatery between Nov. 22 and Dec. 2 should monitor themselves for symptoms.
“We know that it raises concerns when the health unit declares a COVID-19 outbreak, especially when it’s related to a restaurant, but I want to be clear that the risk of contracting the virus in a situation like this is very low. Any interactions between restaurant employees and patrons would have been brief and staff who interacted with customers were wearing masks, which would have reduced the possibility for COVID-19 transmission,” said Dr. Alex Summers, the region’s associate medical officer of health
“We will continue our investigation and work with these six people directly, determine who their close contacts are and provide the support they need to help navigate this situation.”
