While three cases of COVID-19 have now been confirmed in staff at the Collingwood Loblaws, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit officials are remaining tight-lipped on whether patrons should or should not be seeking a COVID test if they attended the store.
According to Loblaws website, one staff member tested positive on Nov. 27. That staff member last worked at the store on Nov 21.
Another staff member tested positive today (Dec. 4). They last worked at the Hurontario Street store on Thursday, Dec. 3.
When reached for comment on Friday afternoon, a spokesperson confirmed there is a third active case in a staff member that has not yet been reported on the Loblaws website.
“A number of colleagues have been asked to isolate as added precaution,” the spokesperson told BarrieToday.
The spokesperson went on to say Loblaws is working closely with the local health unit on making sure the grocery store is safe.
“We... have taken a number of steps to minimize risk, including increased sanitization protocols and enforcing social distancing practices in the store. The store also arranged for additional cleaning,” the spokesperson wrote. “We remain committed to transparency with the community and strive to post all active cases to our website within 24 hours.
When asked, a representative from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit declined to provide any information on advice provided to the Collingwood Loblaws, and declined to provide any advice to members of the community who may have visited the store recently.
“We haven’t declared an outbreak at a grocery store and we don’t give out any information about individuals,” said Leslie Gordon, spokesperson for the health unit.
Gordon instead sent a link to general advice from the health unit on how to shop safely, which can be found here.
Loblaws posts their current active cases in staff at their stores on their corporate website here.
