Golden Mile Superstore worker tests positive for COVID-19, store closed for cleaning

There are concerns for staff and customers after a Superstore worker tested positive in a presumptive test for COVID-19.

The person hasn’t been at work at the Golden Mile location in south Regina since March 28.

In a Facebook post and in an email to customers, the store is assuring people appropriate steps have been taken to address the issue.

“Over and above our daily disinfectant protocols and the social distancing practices we put in place in response to COVID-19, we are taking the following steps:

1. Immediately closed the store to perform a deep-clean and sanitization. The store is expected to reopen tomorrow,
2. Reaching out to the local public health authority to investigate the team member’s recent shifts and direct contacts,
3. Instructing any potentially exposed team members to stay home and self-isolate, and
4. Out of an abundance of caution, we’re notifying customers who recently transacted at this store.”

The email goes on to say, “We understand that you may have questions and want to assure you that we take your safety, and the safety of our team, very seriously. We will work with the local public health team on any further directions and encourage you to reach out to them if you need more information.”

At the provincial news conference, Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said a case like this wouldn’t necessarily be a public alert.

“Public health will interview that person and ask, ‘Were you working while symptomatic?’ and usually they go one to two days before symptoms start. They assess who were the people who were in contact with the person at the place of work, in social settings and in the household,” said Shahab.

“If they can find all the contacts in the work setting, there is no need for a public advisory, but if all the people cannot be reached in a short period of time, then a public advisory is given.”

At the same event Premier Scott Moe added that cases like these are examples are why preventative measures have been enacted in Saskatchewan.

“Not to speak to this specific case, but this is an example of community transmission and you should assume it is in your community which is why we have increased the resources and the people that can trace the contact cases,” Moe said.