The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at The Shish Shawarma & Grill restaurant located at 1401 Ernest Avenue in London, after six employees tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Unit was notified of an initial case at the restaurant on Tuesday, December 1st and made the decision to close the business the following day, after being notified of a third case among staff members. Reports of positive tests for three additional employees were received by the Health Unit yesterday. 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 advises customers who visited The Shish Shawarma & Grill between November 22nd and December 2nd to monitor themselves for the development of COVID-19 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,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “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.”

The Health Unit recommends the following to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections:

• Limit interactions to only those people who are part of your household.
• Maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other people.
• Wear a mask in enclosed places, or where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 15-20 seconds or use a waterless hand sanitizer with at least 70 percent alcohol content.
• Cover coughs and/or sneezes with your sleeve or cough into your elbow.
• Clean high-touch areas, such as doorknobs in public spaces, frequently.
• Download the COVID Alert mobile app to be notified if you may have been exposed to COVID-19, and to let others know if you test positive for the virus.
• Visit https://covidtestinglm.ca/ for how to get tested at a London Assessment Centre.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s website at www.healthunit.com/novel-coronavirus.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317, extension 2469 of 519-617-0570 (cell)

Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit