The lone Tim Hortons in Merritt has temporarily closed its doors thanks to a COVID-19 outbreak.
“Interior Health is investigating a cluster of cases of COVID-19 associated with the main Tim Hortons in Merritt,” said a statement from the health authority.
“The owner has voluntarily closed the restaurant and we appreciate Tim Hortons efforts and cooperation in managing this situation.”
All confirmed cases connected to this outbreak are isolating and public health officials are working diligently to perform contact tracing.
Anyone who may have been exposed will be notified by IH, but at this point there is no risk to the general public.
IH stressed that there’s no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread through food made by people who are infected with the virus, as it's spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.
“There is a theoretical risk that a person infected with COVID-19 could spread the virus by sneezing on food or by directly touching food with their hands,” says the BC Centre for Disease Control website.
“However, there have been no cases reported of such transmission with COVID-19.”
Interior Health says it will increase testing capacity in Merritt to address any possible additional demands.
However, testing is not required if you don’t have symptoms of COVID-19.
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