Potential COVID-19 exposure prompts officials to urge testing for visitors to 2 Seward businesses

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Potential COVID-19 exposure prompts officials to urge testing for visitors to 2 Seward businesses

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Anyone who went to two Seward businesses at the beginning of the week should now get a COVID-19 test due to potential exposure from two individuals with the coronavirus, health officials said Friday.

Visitors and employees who were at the Seward Alehouse on Sunday between noon and 7 p.m.; on Monday between 9 p.m. and midnight; or on Tuesday between noon and 7 p.m. should get tested, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

“One of our staff members has unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19,” the Seward Alehouse said on Facebook. “They are currently quarantined, resting, and on track towards a healthy recovery.”

Additionally, the state recommended testing for people who were at the Yukon Bar at any point on Tuesday. The bar was closed pending virus testing of all employees, the Yukon Bar said Thursday on Facebook.

The City of Seward in an alert Friday echoed the state’s calls for those individuals to get tested.

On Thursday, two Seward residents tested positive for COVID-19 and are close contacts, the city said. In total, there are three active cases of the illness in Seward.

“The Public Health Department defines two or more cases as an ‘outbreak.’ While this term may sound frightening, Seward residents can rest assured that response measures are in place,” the city said.

In addition to the Yukon Bar and the Seward Alehouse, several other downtown Seward businesses temporarily closed as a proactive measure, according to the city.

Testing will be available to those who need it from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. next Monday through Thursday at the Seward Community Health Center.

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