(CMR) Two asymptomatic employees at the Foster's Supermarket Republix, West Bay location have tested positive for COVID-19. These are the first positive results since testing began on April 30.
The management of the island's largest supermarket chain was notified of the results earlier this evening. There are the first positive results received after some 700 negative results were in.
Foster’s has received confirmation from the Health Services Authority that two team members from their Foster’s Republix location have tested positive for COVID-19.
They have confirmed that in addition to the already heightened sanitation process carried out at each location, the store completed a risk assessment of the team member’s work-areas and is performing disinfection-level cleaning this evening in accordance with suggestions from the Cayman Islands Government and published guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US.
“At Foster’s and Priced Right, the health and wellbeing of our team, our customers, and the community remains our top priority, “We’ve taken every step possible to ensure Foster’s Republix continues to provide a safe and happy shopping and working environment. We are thinking of our team members and their families during this time.”
said Julian Foster, Marketing Senior Manager.
The two COVID-19 positive team members are in isolation for the recommended period as laid out by the Health Services Authority. Additionally, contact tracing is being carried out and any Foster’s team members who worked closely with the COVID-19 positive team members in the last seven days have been guided according to contact tracing guidelines set forth by the Cayman Islands Government.
The office of the Chief Medical Officer has informed Foster’s that customers shopping at our Foster’s Republix location are considered to be at very low risk of exposure and the products sold at the store do not represent a risk to customers.
As part of our general response to COVID-19, they implemented a heightened sanitation program throughout the store which included sanitizing high touch-point surfaces, sanitizing cart handles before and after each use, and sanitizing registers every 20 minutes.
Customers noticed the installation of plexiglass protectors at each register, marking suggested social distance on floors, and a Security & Sanitation team in each location to enforce sanitation policies and perform assessments throughout the day, to focus on the health and safety of our team, customers and community.
Upon receiving the news of the positive cases, a third-party janitorial service was called into Foster’s Republix to carry out additional sanitation measures using electrostatic sanitation systems throughout the store.
In accordance with company policy, the affected employees will be taken care of during the quarantine period and upon their return to work.
Foster's supermarket has the largest number of employees for a grocery store on Grand Cayman with five store locations and around 740 employees and began extensive company-wide testing last week.
Given the sheer number of employees, many are impressed that only two positive results are now confirmed. The company is still awaiting additional results and 43 more employees will be tested tomorrow.
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