Employees at three grocery stores in Hamilton test positive for COVID-19

Employees at three separate grocery stores in Hamilton have tested positive for COVID-19 and an outbreak has been declared in one.

According to data on the City of Hamilton website, supplied by public health services (PHS), there have been 11 confirmed COVID-19 cases among staff members at Franco’s No Frills located at 640 Queenston Road.

On Dec. 18, PHS declared an outbreak at that store.

On Sunday (Dec. 20), the store was charged with two violations under the Reopening Ontario Act: one alleges a failure to conduct required screening and the other claims physical distancing wasn’t being enforced in the store.

On December 21, management of the Fortino’s located at 165 Mall Road, was notified that an employee had tested positive for the virus.

The last shift the employee worked was on December 16.

Also on December 18 according to data on the City of Hamilton website, supplied by public health services, there have been 11 confirmed COVID-19 cases among staff members at Franco’s No Frills located at 640 Queenston Road.

On December 22, management of the Shoppers Drug Mart, located at 801 Mohawk Road West, was informed a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

The last day the staff member worked was on December 16.

Loblaws, the parent company, says when a case is discovered, it works closely with public health officials and follows their guidance to ensure proper notification of close contacts and to perform the required cleaning and sanitization in the stores.