Five employees of the table games section at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino have tested positive for COVID-19.
"The cluster occurred as a result of 5 employees testing positive in a 14-day period," says Vickie Bradley, Secretary, Public Health and Human Services in an email. The fifth employee was identified on Friday, July 17.
The Jackson County Department of Public Health and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Public Health and Human Services announced the outbreak on July 20. The casino is located on the Qualla Boundary in Jackson County.
“Based on information provided by the employees and video surveillance records, no other employees or customers have been identified as close contacts as defined by the CDC,” said Brooks Robinson, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino regional general manager in a press release.
All positive employees are following isolation orders. The local health departments are working to identify any contacts of the employees.
“Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos remain committed to the well-being of our employees and customers. Enhanced health and safety protocols in place since reopening include training of our entire team of over 3,000 employees on cleaning and sanitizing techniques, the proper use of PPE, and mandatory wearing of face masks by employees and customers," continued Robinson in a statement.
All positive employees are following isolation orders. The local health departments are working to identify any contacts of the employees.
Both Harrah's and Cherokee Valley River Casino in Murphy reopened to the general public on May 28.
