HOLYOKE — Two city businesses closed this week after employees tested positive for COVID-19.
On Tuesday, Nick’s Nest at 1597 Northampton St. reported that an employee had tested positive for COVID-19, according to a post on Facebook by Kevin and Jenn Chateauneuf. Target in the Holyoke Mall was also closed Monday after two employees tested positive. The store reopened Tuesday after a cleaning.
“We are closing immediately and will be closed for the next 24 hours for cleaning,” Tuesday’s post from Nick’s Nest read. “We are allowed to reopen tomorrow at noon.”
The employee at Nick’s Nest has not worked at the restaurant since Aug. 10, the post read. The employee began showing symptoms on Aug. 13 but a test for COVID-19 came back negative on Saturday. The employee went for another test on Sunday which came back positive on Tuesday, Nick’s Nest said.
“It is also recommended that those who worked her last shift with her get tested,” the post read. “I have talked to those employees, and every employee, and anyone who gets tested are not allowed back to work until their results are in.”
Board of Health Director Sean Gonsalves said in an email Tuesday that the Target store in the Holyoke Mall at 50 Holyoke St. was closed all day Monday for a “deep cleaning.” Two store employees tested positive for the coronavirus, he said.
Gonsalves also cited state guidance for retail businesses, which according to him says, “In event of a positive case, shut down site for a deep cleaning and disinfecting of the workplace in accordance with current CDC guidance.”
A Target spokesperson confirmed that two employees tested positive for the disease this month.
“We’ve communicated directly with these team members, who went into quarantine and are following all health department guidelines,” a statement read. “We’re paying these team members while they’re on leave and our thoughts are with them during this challenging time.”
Holyoke and Granby were recently designated by state public health officials as being at the highest level of risk for COVID-19 based on average daily case rates over a previous two-week period.
In a Gazette article from last week reporting on this new designation, Gonsalves said he believes coronavirus cases coming out of the Holyoke Mall are contributing to the city’s rising case counts.
Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com.