Casino employee reportedly tests positive for COVID-19

Published 9:14 pm Wednesday, June 3, 2020

An employee of a Vicksburg casino has reportedly tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and may have worked on the casino’s floor just days before developing symptoms.

In a memo to casino employees, that has been widely shared on social media, Riverwalk Casino and Hotel General Manager Ginny Tzotzolas informed employees of the positive test and additional measures that are being taken to prevent any additional spread of the virus.

“We have learned that one of your fellow Team Members has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19,” Tzotzolas said in the memo that did not include a date of when it was distributed. It first appeared on social media Wednesday evening. “The Team Member last worked on May 25 and frequently worked on the casino floor.”

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Casinos in Mississippi, including the four casinos in Vicksburg, were allowed to reopen under strict social distancing and health guidelines on May 21. Since then, the casinos have had to limit the number of guests allowed at any one time, increase the level of cleaning in common areas, reduce the number of players at particular table games and slot machines, in addition to other steps.

“We cannot identify the Team Member who tested positive for the virus because of privacy laws. However, our discussions with this Team Member indicate that the Team Member did not work in close contact (defined by the CDC as being within 6 feet of another person for around 10-30 minutes or more) with any other Team Member in the two days before developing symptoms,” Tzotzolas said. “We will coordinate with the health department to conduct contact tracing as required.”

Tzotzolas said additional cleaning measures would be done in areas where the employee who tested positive worked.

“We take this time to send get well wishes to our sick Team Member and to thank our team for working hard to make our environment as safe and healthy as possible,” Tzotzolas said in closing.

About Tim Reeves

Tim Reeves, and his wife Stephanie, are the parents of three children, Sarah Cameron, Clayton and Fin, who all attend school in the Vicksburg Warren School District. The family are members of First Baptist Church Vicksburg. Tim is involved in a number of civic and volunteer organizations including the United Way of West Central Mississippi and serves on the City of Vicksburg's Riverfront Redevelopment Committee.

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