Colorado’s two new In-N-Out locations are facing a COVID-19 outbreak among employees as the number of positive tests continues to rise this week.
About 145 employees at the Colorado Springs and Aurora In-N-Out locations have tested positive for COVID-19 since an initial outbreak last December, according to a report released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment. was made. Denver Post reported.
The COVID-19 cases in Colorado Springs have counted 83 cases since their outbreak began on Dec. 6; Aurora has had 62 positive tests since the outbreak began on Dec. 17 (an outbreak is defined by Colorado state health officials as two or more positive cases related to a place or event.)
According to the Gazette, the outbreaks at the two In-N-Out locations are the largest among state restaurants since the start of the pandemic. Nevertheless, the two restaurants remain open, as an outbreak is not necessary, but local health departments can close if necessary. (Note that In-N-Out may close voluntarily.)
The health departments overseeing these two locations did not say a forced closure was imminent, at the request of the Gazette. One provincial spokesman told the newspaper that there are no current recommendations to close the local In-N-Out, and the leadership of In-N-Out is in ‘regular communication’ with the health department.
“Based on the follow-up and investigation of public health, In-N-Out adheres to the regular cleaning and disinfection protocols, in addition to investigating employees, excluding sick employees and collaborating staff,” said Natalie Sosa, spokesperson for El Paso County told the Gazette. “Recommendations for temporary closure are given when the transfer is identified within the facility and to allow for proper cleaning and disinfection.”
El Paso County said in a statement to the Colorado Springs Business Journal that no customers in the Colorado Springs area are connected to the outbreak. It is unclear whether the same applies to the Aurora outpost.
Denny Warnick, vice president of In-N-Out, said that two In-N-Out locations in Colorado currently have “less than five active confirmed cases” and that they see a significant improvement in the number of cases. he said publication on restaurant trade, Nation’s Restaurant News. The employees who previously tested positive have since recovered, and are “currently healthy and well.”
“We are working closely with our public health agencies to review and confirm that the proactive steps we are taking are appropriate and effective in protecting our communities,” Warnick said in part. ‘This includes limiting the number of co-workers and customers indoors, using’ cohorts’ of staff and responding quickly to identify and remove anyone who has been in close contact with an individual who has tested positive. close.
“We remain committed to doing our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” he continued. “The actions we will take in our Colorado restaurants are guided by our commitment to protecting the health and safety of our customers and employees.”
Two In-N-Out locations in Southern California also experienced a COVID-19 outbreak among its employees. There are seven and eight employees in Palmdale and Sherman Oaks, respectively, who were positive for COVID-19, Nation’s Restaurant News reports.
Colorado has been excited about the arrival of In-N-Out since the announcement was first made in 2017; when the Colorado Springs and Aurora locations opened on November 20 last year, customers waited 12 hours to get their hands on a Double-Double.