Tamarack kitchen closed after worker has positive COVID test

BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) — The kitchen at Tamarack was closed temporarily after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.

Other parts of facility near Beckley remain open. The travel, arts, cultural and retail center on Interstate 64 showcases West Virginia food, arts and crafts. More than 500,000 people visit each year.

The West Virginia Parkways Authority ordered the closure because of staffing shortages and to protect the public, the state Transportation Department said in a news release Thursday.

The employee, a member of the kitchen staff, tested positive on Wednesday, Tamarack Executive Director Tammy Coffman said in the release.

“Although our kitchen is closed, our grab-and-go items remain available,” Coffman said. “The retail sections of Tamarack are open. The gallery is open. The conference center is open.”

The kitchen will reopen as soon as possible, she said.