Starbucks says Seattle store employee diagnosed with coronavirus, location closed temporarily – USA TODAY, USA Today

Jessica Guynn and Kelly Tyko , USA TODAY             Published 10: ET March 6, | Updated : 728 ET March 6,

An employee of a popular Starbucks store in downtown Seattle has been diagnosed with COVID – the company said late Friday.

The store, which is a Starbucks Reserve bar, was shut down for cleaning and the employee is quarantined at home, Starbucks said. This is the first U.S. coronavirus case reported by Starbucks.

“We quickly activated our protocols, immediately closing the store and initiating a deep clean overnight, following all recommended guidelines from the City of Seattle and King County public health authorities, “according to a company statement.

Starbucks plans to reopen the store at (1st Ave., which will be staffed by employees “who have no known impact from COVID – . The store is expected to reopen in the next few days, the company told USA TODAY.

(Ground zero for COVID -) : Coronavirus fears are making shoppers ‘erratic’ in Washington – and businesses are already seeing sharp declines

Starbucks has instructed employees to increase cleaning at all of its stores and on Wednesday announced it was temporarily pausing the use of reusable cups over coronavirus fears.

The company said it is taking what it learned from China in planning its response. In Friday’s statement, Starbucks said if other employees are impacted, more locations may need to be closed for deep cleanings. Seattle, headquarters of the coffee giant, is ground zero of the first and largest outbreak of the coronavirus in the United States. Washington state has seen more than 57 cases and deaths. Most of the deaths have been linked to nursing home in a Seattle suburb.

With public fear spreading, early signs of economic distress and disruption are beginning to surface as consumers hunker down at home to keep themselves and their families safe.

Also in the Seattle area, two Microsoft employees were diagnosed with the coronavirus. The company has encouraged employees to work from home if possible.

Microsoft said Thursday it would continue to pay hourly service workers in the Seattle area and California during the coronavirus outbreak.

These cleaners kill coronavirus: Lysol, Clorox, Purell products make EPA’s disinfectants list No reusable cups: Starbucks will temporarily pause the use of personal cups over coronavirus fears