More SC, Columbia grocery stores report workers tested positive for coronavirus
More grocery stores in South Carolina have had workers test positive for coronavirus, including another case in Columbia.
Of the major grocery chains that responded this week to inquiries from The State, Aldi has the highest number statewide with six. A Kroger store in Columbia has reported an employee tested positive.
Aldi spokeswoman Caroline Silva said there were no cases in Columbia, but an employee in an Easley store is still in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. The store is located at 4835 Calhoun Memorial Highway.
All of the other employees have completed quarantine. They were at stores at:
▪ 10015 Dorchester Road, Summerville
▪ 655 Fairview Road, Simpsonville
▪ 1725 Woodruff Road, Greenville
“As soon as we learned of each confirmed case, we communicated with employees and immediately activated sanitation and intense cleaning procedures,” Silva said. “We required those who tested positive and those who had been in close contact with these employees to self-quarantine. We provided these employees with paid leave during this time.”
Kroger spokesman Felix Turner said two workers in South Carolina stores tested positive, one in Columbia and the other in Aiken. The Columbia store is located at 3403 Forest Drive.
“We took all necessary steps to identify and notify associates of our company who worked closely with the employees at issue during the relevant time frame,” Turner said. “These associates were asked to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days and to monitor themselves for any symptoms.”
The affected associates have received medical care and are currently back at work.
Food Lion spokeswoman Emma Inman said one worker in South Carolina has tested positive for coronavirus. The store was located in Goose Creek.
“Our thoughts are with our associate and with all of those who have contracted this illness across the community,” Inman said.
The German grocer Lidl has had no reported cases, spokesman William Harwood said.
Lowes Foods, Trader Joe’s and Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of BiLo, Winn Dixie and Harveys Supermarket , did not respond to repeated inquiries from The State.
Earlier this week, Publix reported employees at five Columbia-area grocery stores, and one each in Charleston and Fort Mill, tested positive for coronavirus.
Publix has 30 stores in the Palmetto State. Each of the seven stores confirmed by the company had one case of COVID-19 each. They are at:
▪ 2800 Rosewood Drive, Columbia
▪ 4840 Forest Dr Ste 10, Forest Acres
▪ 150 Harbison Blvd., Irmo
▪ 4611 Hard Scrabble Road, northeast Columbia
▪ 2732 N Lake Drive, Lexington
▪ 3642 Savannah Hwy Ste 132, Johns Island
▪ 928 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill
In addition, Whole Foods had one presumed case of coronavirus at its Cross Hill Market store near Fort Jackson. That employee’s last day worked prior to learning of the positive diagnosis was more than 30 days ago, a spokeswoman said.
The State will continue to reach out to those companies that have not yet responded.
All the companies responding said they have adopted additional safety procedures, including but not limited to:
• Heightened disinfection programs focusing on touch pads, door and drawer handles, phones and computers.
• Continued cleaning and sanitation of stores.
• Installation of Plexiglass shields at registers, customer service desks and pharmacies in all stores.
In addition, some companies:
• Require workers to wear face coverings.
• Offer quarantine and paid leave for 14 days for any worker who tests positive.
• Offer notification, quarantine and paid leave for up to 14 days for associates who have been in close contact with a worker who tests positive.
• Installed In-store signage, one-way directional aisles, and public address announcements reminding customers and associates of social distancing.
• Visual reminders of appropriate six-foot spacing via marked lines at registers.
• Adjusted store hours to allow more time to conduct additional disinfection measures and restock shelves.