An employee of Chattanooga eatery J. Alexander's has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a Friday night Facebook post from the restaurant.
The employee's positive test result came about "as a result of contact tracing," the post states. The restaurant will close its doors and suspend all dine-in and curbside business until Monday in order to test all staff and sanitize the facility.
J. Alexander's says it is following all CDC and public health guidelines and has been monitoring the temperatures of employees. No employees will be allowed to return to the building until they receive a negative test result, according to the post.
The announcement comes the same day Hamilton County announced a record 106 new cases of the novel coronavirus.
Hospitalizations and deaths in the county remained stable Friday, with 34 COVID-19 patients total hospitalized, according to health department data. Thirteen of those patients were in intensive care. Nineteen residents have died due to the coronavirus.
Free coronavirus testing is being offered this weekend. Visit the health department's website for a list of testing events and sites. Anyone with COVID-19 questions may call the health department's hotline at 423-209-8383.