Superstore employee tests positive for COVID-19

Real Canadian Superstore at 825 Oxford Street East in London. Photo from Google Maps.

By
May 24, 2020 4:10pm

Another employee at an east London Real Canadian Superstore has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Superstore located at Oxford Street East has gone through “thorough cleaning and sanitization” after an employee who handled food in the store’s bakery section tested positive for the virus.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit said they were notified of the positive test result late Saturday.

The employee worked between Wednesday, May 20, and Saturday, May 23. Shoppers who bought store-prepared or store-packaged bakery items during that time are asked to monitor their symptoms, take the online COVID-19 self-assessment, and dispose of the purchased products.

The latest positive test result comes nearly a month after another employee tested positive for the virus on April 29.

Anyone who had contact with the employee has been notified by health officials. However, the Middlesex-London Health Unit is recommending that all staff at the store be tested for COVID-19.

“While the risk of contracting COVID-19 from bread, buns, and other products is low, it is important for customers to watch for the development of signs and symptoms consistent with the novel coronavirus. Anyone who develops symptoms should be tested as soon as they can,” said Dr. Alex Summers, associate medical officer of health. “We know that this virus is still in our community and the only way we’re going to get ahead of it is if everyone does their part.”

Four new cases and another death related to the novel coronavirus was reported in London-Middlesex on Sunday.

The Premier of Ontario urged people on Sunday to get tested — even those who are asymptomatic.

“Next week, we’ll release a detailed testing strategy. We’ll be targeting various sectors and hot spots across the province,” said Premier Doug Ford. “If you’re worried if you have COVID-19, or that you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 — even if you’re not showing symptoms, please go get a test. You will not be turned away.”