Two Durango Transit drivers have tested positive for COVID-19, fitting state criteria for an outbreak, the city of Durango announced Tuesday.

All Durango Transit staff members have been encouraged to get tested for COVID-19, and the city is contracting with a local janitorial service to deep clean the Transit Center. Transit service was not affected as of Tuesday, the city’s news release said.

“The safety and health of our employees and our community is paramount,” said Amber Blake, assistant city manager. “Durango Transit provides critical service to our ridership and has implemented infection control measures, including social distancing on buses, hourly cleaning of the fleet as well as deep cleaning daily.”

San Juan Basin Public Health is providing infection control guidance to city staff members, who are providing support with the investigation and taking measures to stop viral spread.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported 16 active outbreaks in La Plata County as of Dec. 2. The state defines two or more cases within a two-week period as an outbreak. To be considered a workplace outbreak, there must be reasonable evidence that transmission occurred at the workplace, resulting in two or more staff members identified as positive, according to the health department. Most of those outbreaks are located in Durango.

Outbreaks of COVID-19 cases have either been confirmed or are under investigation at more than 24 restaurants, SJBPH previously said.

La Plata County had 1,740 positive COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, according to SJBPH data.

Free COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays at La Plata County Fairgrounds. For more information about testing in La Plata and Archuleta counties, visit sjbpublichealth.org/coronavirus

smullane@durangoherald.com