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Updated: 12:42 AM EDT April 8, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS The operator of St. Elmo Steak House issued a statement on Wednesday night saying the restaurant is mourning the loss of a long-time valued employee. As a 100+ year old Indianapolis institution, I am proud that St. Elmo Steak House has been my family s business for more than 30 years, Craig Huse, the CEO of Huse Culinary said. And like a family, we are mourning the loss of a long-time, valued employee and genuinely great person, who had a huge heart and a glowing smile.
The employee s death was reported as a COVID-19 workplace fatality to the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Monday. The news followed the popular steak house closing early on Saturday due to nine employees testing positive for coronavirus.
The actual number of people infected by the virus around the world is believed to be much higher perhaps 10 times higher in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention given testing limitations and the many mild cases that have gone unreported or unrecognized.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness like pneumonia, or death.
St. Elmo Steak House reports COVID-19 workplace fatality
Huse Culinary, the operator of St. Elmo Steak House in downtown Indianapolis, reported an employee died while the restaurant was closed due to a coronavirus outbreak among staff.
State officials are inquiring about a death of a St. Elmo Steak House worker amid an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at the restaurant.
The restaurant was back serving Monday after multiple employees had tested positive for the coronavirus. Still, many workers opted to quarantine rather than get a required test, hampering the full strength of the state s most renowned restaurant.
The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it is following up on a workplace fatality at St. Elmo.
We did receive a report about a workplace fatality and IOSHA has reached out to get more information, said IOSHA spokesperson Stephanie McFarland.
Why did St. Elmo close?
St. Elmo had been closed until further notice after multiple employees of the downtown Indianapolis restaurant tested positive for coronavirus.
Craig Huse, president of Huse Culinary, issued a statement late Saturday confirming that nine St. Elmo s employees have contracted the virus.
When did St. Elmo close?
The Marion County Public Health Department said St. Elmo on Saturday notified it that the restaurant was voluntarily closing temporarily as a result of multiple employees testing positive for COVID-19.
Current and former employees, who spoke to the IndyStar on the condition that their names would not be used, said the restaurant closed about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The company sent a media notice about the closing about 11 p.m.