SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Albertsons Companies confirmed Saturday an employee of an Escondido grocery store tested positive for COVID-19.
The company said the store will remain open, and "will continue to follow an enhanced cleaning and disinfection process in every department."
Public Affairs Director Melissa Hill said that the employee is receiving care and has not worked at the store since March 24. Hill said the Escondido store has been through multiple sanitizing and disinfecting cycles, and used third-party expert service.
Hill said the store is monitoring other staff for symptoms.
"Following CDC guidelines, our Crisis Response Team may recommend that additional members of the store team self-quarantine. These employees will be eligible to receive up to 14 days of quarantine pay," said Hill.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135 President Todd Walters said they have been working with companies to get higher safety measures into the workplaces of members.
He said three members of the union tested positive as of Saturday. He said they were all at different locations in San Diego County.
"We're encouraging and asking the members to 1. Make sure they get their social distance. 2. We want them to get time every 30 minutes to stop, wash their hands and clean their work stations," he said.
Walters said Plexiglas has been installed at check out stands to protect workers at Albertsons and Vons, and next week Ralphs and Food For Less will see the same installation.
He said employees are tired from the long shifts and urged the public to realize supplies aren't going anywhere. "Please don't shop unless you have to, there's no need to horde. If you see these retail workers, not just grocery, but our drug store members, or other retail entities, give them space. If they're trying to work and you need something, call out to them. They will move and step aside."
Walters hopes everyone takes the stay at home order seriously so we can stop the spread of COVID-19.
Read Albertsons Companies' statement below:
The health and safety of everyone who walks through our doors is a top priority. We have learned that an associate at our Albertsons store on W. Valley Parkway in Escondido, CA, has a confirmed case of COVID-19. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the associate who tested positive, and we hope for a full recovery.
That associate is now receiving medical care. Following CDC guidelines, our Crisis Response Team may recommend that additional members of the store team self-quarantine. These employees will be eligible to receive up to 14 days of quarantine pay.
The associate has not worked at our Escondido store since March 24th. The store has been through multiple cycles of our enhanced cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting process since that day. In an abundance of caution, last night, we conducted a thorough cleaning and disinfection with guidance from third-party sanitation experts.
The store will remain open, and we will continue to follow an enhanced cleaning and disinfection process in every department.
We have reaffirmed with all associates that they need to wash hands and disinfect check stands every hour and to practice social distancing. We have also reminded them that if they develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as a cough or shortness of breath, stay home, and call their healthcare provider right away.
- Albertsons Companies