Steamworks Brewing Co. reported a second positive COVID-19 case among employees Tuesday after an initial case announced Oct. 7 prompted employee testing.
It was not immediately clear if the two cases will be classified as an outbreak. According to state guidelines, an “outbreak” is defined as two or more cases at a location within a 14-day period.
The Colorado Department of Public Health had not listed an outbreak at Steamworks, but its data is updated only on Wednesdays.
“This investigation is ongoing and that determination has not yet been made,” said Claire Ninde, spokeswoman for San Juan Basin Public Health.
Kris Oyler, president of Peak Food & Beverage Co. which owns Steamworks, said the restaurant closed temporarily Oct. 7 “out of an abundance of caution” after an employee notified the company he or she had tested positive.
More than 120 of 150 employees at Steamworks had been tested as of Monday, resulting in the second positive case, Oyler said.
“That was really good news, frankly, because there has been no contact with that person,” he said. “We’re actually finishing cleaning today and planning to reopen tomorrow (Wednesday).”
Every surface that anyone would come in contact with is being sanitized. Management had ultraviolet lights installed in the air ducts and high efficiency particulate air filters added to the air circulation system.
“We’re never going to be able to keep 100% of our customers and employees safe, but we’re doing everything we can,” Oyler said.
Last week, three other Durango restaurants closed because of proven or possible exposures to the disease.
Grassburger has an ongoing outbreak. The restaurant did not close because of the outbreak, but performed extra deep cleaning. SJBPH said the restaurant has been following best practices.
An employee at J. Bo Pizza & Rib Co. was exposed to someone with COVID-19, owners said Friday, prompting the restaurant to voluntarily close for a few days to do a deep clean.
The African food-based Eat Zawadi also announced it will be closed until at least Oct. 16 after “several key members were recently exposed to a COVID-positive individual on our staff,” the restaurant said in a statement.
The restaurants did not respond to requests for updated information Tuesday afternoon.
smullane@durangoherald.com
