7 Kenosha County food and beverage workers test positive for COVID-19

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Seven food and beverage workers in Kenosha County have tested positive for COVID-19.

County officials did not release where these employees work.

In the first week since the stay at home order was lifted, county officials also said positive cases in Kenosha increased 20 percent.

Several area-restaurants are taking precautions.

“We opened up with about half capacity in all our restaurants, have everything 6 feet apart, wear masks at all times and gloves,” Riki Tagliapietra, The Garage Sports & Burger Bar Director of Operations, said.

The Garage has also expanded their outdoor seating.

Ruffalo’s Special Pizza II in Kenosha is taking a cautious approach to re-opening by still only offering curbside and carryout.

“We decided that we weren’t ready with letting our customers and employees interacting at such a close level,” Michael Covelli, Ruffalo’s Special Pizza II Co-Owner, said.

As a family owned business for thirty years, the restaurant is keeping their dining room closed for now to protect their family and customers.

“The one we want to keep the most safe is my grandma,” Covelli said. “She keeps everything going. She makes all the food so we want to keep her as safe as possible and keep the business running.”

Kenosha County’s Kickstart plan encourages restaurants to disinfect often, limit tables to six guests, and not allow any self-serve or buffet.

“We’re a community, we have to stick together, and get through this,” Covelli said.