Two fast-food restaurants in Chatham have shut their doors to the public after COVID-19 outbreaks were declared by the local health unit.
Chatham-Kent Public Health confirmed Tuesday evening that it has declared outbreaks at the KFC located at 720 Grand Ave. W and the Taco Bell at 328 St. Clair St.
Store management has chosen to close both locations voluntarily and has been cooperating with the health unit.
The health unit said there is little risk of exposure to the public as the infected individuals were behind physical barriers, they were wearing masks, and conducted healthy hand hygiene. As well as indoor dining was not an option at either location.
"We want to emphasize that unless you have been contacted by public health, you have NOT been in direct contact with these confirmed cases," said health unit spokesperson Stephanie Egelton.
There are currently three workplace outbreaks within the municipality of Chatham-Kent, including the two fast-food restaurants. There is a total of six active cases related to the three locations, the health unit said. The third workplace has not been identified as it is a non-public business.
Chatham-Kent currently has 32 active cases of COVID-19 with one person hospitalized. There has been a total of 466 cases of COVID-19 in the municipality and three deaths since the pandemic began.