The two newly opened In-N-Out Burger restaurants in Colorado each have active outbreaks of COVID-19, with 80 team members testing positive for the virus between the two locations, according to state data.
The popular fast-food chain opened in the state on November 20, with units in Aurora and Colorado Springs; each now has active outbreaks, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
State health officials consider an outbreak to be two or more cases linked to the same location or event. Outbreaks are considered active until four weeks have passed without new cases.
The Aurora site outbreak was reported on December 17, with 20 employees confirmed positive for the virus and another 16 employees listed as likely cases of COVID-19.
The outbreak at the Colorado Springs site was confirmed by the state December 6. There were 60 positive cases of employees at the El Paso County site, with nine other suspected cases.
The state has not linked any customers to any of the outbreaks.
Both restaurants remain open and state health officials generally do not require closing restaurants or other retail outlets with outbreaks.
Denny Warnick, vice president of operations at In-N-Out, acknowledged the “worrying number of Colorado associates testing positive for COVID-19” in a statement, adding, “Nothing is more important to us than health and safety of our customers and associates. ”
All employees who tested positive and those who had close contact with them “were excluded from the workplace,” said Warinck.
“We continue to work closely with our public health agencies and confirm the appropriate measures to help protect our communities,” he said. “These steps include: limiting staff to the minimum number required to serve our customers, using team ‘cohorts’ to limit possible exposure and limiting the dining room’s access to delivery orders, ensuring appropriate physical distance.”
Since opening with much fanfare in Colorado last month, each location has gone through long lines. This craze persisted; the drive-thru line last Saturday in Aurora was still more than three hours long. None of the Colorado fast food chain locations offer active indoor meals due to the state’s COVID-19 regulations.
There are currently several active outbreaks in fast food outlets in Colorado. Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s and Wendy’s have outbreaks in one or two locations each – each with less than 10 employee cases – and no customer infections have been associated with any of the restaurants.
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