APRIL 19, 2020 – Social media is a blaze locally as a local Food Basics worker tested positive for COVID 19.
The EOHU refuses to answer any questions from this newspaper or issue us their press releases directly so we apologize as we can only get their version from their own press release once published.
2020-04-18
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is notifying the public that a case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in an employee at the Food Basics grocery store on Brookdale Ave. in Cornwall. The EOHU is actively working in cooperation with the Brookdale Food Basics store to assess the risk to store employees and to trace contacts of the individual. The risk to the public is considered to be low.
The employee worked day shifts at the Brookdale Food Basics store on April 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th. The individual started to develop symptoms on April 15th and was tested for COVID-19 on April 17th; the result was confirmed on April 18th. After receiving the test result, the employee immediately left work and entered isolation. All recommended public health measures were in place at the store throughout the days that the employee worked. In response to the positive case, the store is undertaking appropriate additional cleaning and disinfection.
“Although we feel that the risk to the public is low, we’re releasing this information so that shoppers who were at the Brookdale Food Basics during this period are aware,” states Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health. “As a precaution, shoppers who were at the store on these dates should self-monitor for symptoms. If they start to feel symptoms, they should seek testing.” Common symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, a new or worsening cough, sore throat, muscle aches and more.
When the Costco in Vaudreuil Dorion had a similar situation recently occur people were advised to self isolate for 14 days. This has not occurred nor has information about other Food Basics employees exposed at that time being told to stay home for two weeks.
Dr. Paul Roumeliotis again needs to be fired at this point as this is yet another example of his Units failure.
The release for example doesn’t state whether it was a cashier or floor worker, or management?
The release doesn’t state that testing of all staff possibly infected by this person has been initiated.
Loading ...The location should be closed for deep cleaning by a 3rd party.
The party apparently came to work after being tested. Charges should be filed. If the store was aware they were tested why would the employee be allowed back?
It also really shows why at this point all employees should be masked up, and anyone that goes out should be masked up.
If the allegations are confirmed that the worker is in some fashion connected to the Tim Horton’s worker who tested positive recently why wouldn’t they have been tested immediately?
If connected to the Tim Horton’s case they would themselves have to isolate for 14 days, at least, if not longer until the worker tested negative. Again, this would be criminal behavior warranting charges be laid against the worker.
Lack of information, poor quality of information, and frankly putting the public at risk and we pay this fellow at the EOHU over $300K per year?
Food Basics is part of the Metro chain of fine grocers. This is from their website regarding cases like this:
We take the current situation very seriously. If an employee or a customer tests positive for COVID-19, we will follow the recommendations of health authorities and hire a specialized company to disinfect and clean the location in question. Please rest assured that we are taking all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of our employees and customers.
Again, it would be prudent to use best case practices in this situation, but if our Health Unit isn’t implementing them can you blame the store? It should be deep cleaned, all exposed staff sent home for 14 days, and all staff masked up while working.
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