Employees of grocery and drug store chains across the Lower Mainland have recently tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Last week there were 10 reports of workers testing positive from stores in Burnaby, Surrey, Abbotsford, Delta and Vancouver. During the most recent reporting period (May 21-26) just five cases have been reported from stores across the Lower Mainland -- but none in Vancouver. The cases come from stores owned by Loblaw Companies Ltd., the parent company of Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, Wholesale Club, and Your Independent Grocer.
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 1960 Como Lake Avenue, Coquitlam, B.C. The last day team member(s) worked was May 21.
- Real Canadian Superstore, 7550 King George Boulevard, Surrey, B.C. The last day team member(s) worked was May 19.
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 7538 120th Street, Surrey, B.C. The last day team member(s) worked was May 14.
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 7538 120th Street, Surrey, B.C. The last day team member(s) worked was May 14.
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 3215 St. John Street, Port Moody, B.C. The last day team member(s) worked was May 15.
There was only one reported case from a grocery store outside the Lower Mainland.
- Amanda's No Frills Fort St. John, 9831 98A Avenue, Fort St. John, B.C. The last day team member(s) worked was May 17.
While T&T Supermarket is owned by Loblaw, the Canadian Asian grocery chain lists its COVID-19 cases separately on its own site and has had no employee at work in the last two weeks who has since tested positive for the virus.
On May 27 the supermarket announced that out of its 5,300+ staff, 82 per cent have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Sobeys Inc., which operates B.C. chains Thrifty Foods and Safeway, and is the franchisor of discount grocery company FreshCo, reported three cases earlier this month where the employees’ last day worked was between May 2-5.
None of the infections are considered a public exposure by either Vancouver Coastal Health or Fraser Health, and none of the stores have been shut down by the health authority or WorkSafeBC.
With files from Lindsay William-Ross
