Possible COVID-19 Community Exposure At Atkinson Restaurant

Tony Schinella
·3 min read

CONCORD, NH — State health officials are warning the public about a positive case of COVID-19 and possible community exposure at a restaurant in Atkinson.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported Tuesday that a person with a confirmed case of the virus was at Merrill's Tavern at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club at 85 Country Club Drive last week. An alert said that community exposure possibly occurred in the bar or tavern area between noon at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 and noon and 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 22.

"DHHS has conducted contact investigations on cases associated with this potential community exposure and is notifying known close contacts directly," the alert stated. "However, DHHS is making this public notification because there may be additional individuals at the location during those days and times who were exposed to the coronavirus and should monitor for symptoms and get tested."

Anyone who was at the tavern or bar area of the country club during those dates and times and exhibits symptoms should self-quarantine and get tested.

State Health Information

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. 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. Guidance for self-quarantining is available here.

Whether or not you are experiencing symptoms, multiple testing options throughout the State are available to potentially exposed individuals. For persons without health insurance or a primary care provider, testing is available and can be scheduled by calling 603-271-5980 or through completing the online form located here. Other options for testing can be found here.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities, so all people need to protect themselves and help prevent further community spread, by:

  • 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% 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.

  • Do not touch 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.

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

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This article originally appeared on the Salem Patch