Photo: EverythingGP staff

By EverythingGP Staff

Twelve Cases

Twelve associates test positive for COVID-19 at Grande Prairie Walmart

Oct 14, 2020 | 11:57 AM

A spokesperson for Walmart Canada says a total of twelve associates from the Walmart Supercentre in Grande Prairie have tested positive for COVID-19, linked to the outbreak announced by Alberta Health on Tuesday.

In an emailed statement to EverythingGP Wednesday morning, Corporate Affairs Manager Felicia Fefer says the company is “keeping the associates in our thoughts and wish them a speedy recovery.”

“Out of an abundance of caution, associates identified as being in close contact have been directed to self-isolate,” reads the statement.

The statement goes on to say that the store “conducted a deep cleaning” upon news of the positive tests. Fefer adds the company has been in contact with local public health officials, and that they have temporarily adjusted the store’s opening hours to between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. in response to the outbreak.

“Rest assured, we will continue to take measures to support the well-being of our customers and associates.”

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Some of the measures detailed by Walmart in the email include:

• Increased cleaning throughout the store.
• Wellness checks that include a temperature check for all associates at the start of each shift.
• Limiting the number of customers shopping in the store at one time.
• Cleaning shopping carts.
• Encouraging regular handwashing.
• Regular cleaning of work areas (including checkouts).
• Mandatory masks for associates and customers.

Speaking on the rise in cases linked to a single, large workplace outbreak in Grande Prairie during Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, Chief Medical Officer of Health in Alberta, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, says it is important for all workplaces ensure that proper health and safety protocols are being implemented and followed, especially if it is a public service business.

“It’s also a reminder that there is no part of the province that is spared from COVID-19, and rural areas that haven’t previously seen many cases, again, it can just take a few active cases showing up in a location where measures are not being put in place… to, unfortunately, go from one or two active cases to many.”

There are 41 active cases of COVID-19 in the City of Grande Prairie as of October 12, and the City has been placed under a “watch” status by Alberta Health.

RELATED: City of Grande Prairie under COVID-19 watch status, outbreak announced at Walmart