Health Unit asking anyone that ate at the Swiss Chalet in Cobourg March 25th to April 5th to self-monitor for COVID-19

Anyone who dined in the Swiss Chalet restaurant on Strathy Road in Cobourg between March 25th and April 5th is being asked to self-monitor for COVID-19 and get tested if they develop symptoms. 

Symptoms include fever (temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), new or worsening cough, headache, and shortness of breath. 

Other symptoms of COVID-19 can include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, changes to sense of taste and/or smell, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, runny nose, and/or nasal congestion.

Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health for the local health unit, says the risk of transmission is still considered low so it is not necessary for patrons who visited the restaurant at that time to self-isolate, only to monitor their health for symptoms for the next 14 days. 

This notice only applies to individuals who dined inside the restaurant and does not apply to people who picked up takeout orders.

Dr. Bocking said there are currently no cases among guests, but the health unit is erring on the side of caution and asking people who may have dined in the restaurant to monitor themselves for symptoms.

An outbreak was declared at the restaurant Wednesday last week and there are currently six cases associated with the outbreak. 

The restaurant did maintain a list of patrons as is required, but given the number of patrons, and the capacity of the Health Unit, it is not possible to personally contact all patrons to ask them to self-monitor, Dr. Bocking says. 

The restaurant owner has voluntarily closed the restaurant until April 20 and has been providing the information required to the Health Unit to conduct its contact tracing and case investigation work.