A team member at a Whistler Shoppers Drug Mart has tested positive for COVID-19, Loblaw Companies Ltd. announced this week.
According to a statement, the staff member, who tested positive on a presumptive test for the virus, last worked at the 4295 Blackcomb Way location on Oct. 28.
Loblaw, which is the parent company of Shoppers Drug Mart, Real Canadian Superstore, and Loblaws City Market provided the update as part of its ongoing COVID-19 employee case listings. According to that list, the company has experienced COVID-19 cases among staff members at seven locations throughout the Lower Mainland between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2.
No stores are currently listed by either Fraser Health or Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) as public exposure locations.
In an emailed response to a request for more detailed information about the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Whistler is recent days, a spokesperson for VCH said the health authority is not able to comment on specific cases.
"We only make public notifications when Public Health is not able to reach all close contacts and determines it is necessary to inform the public about a potential exposure," the spokesperson wrote. "In cases where Public Health is able to contact all cases and close contacts directly and we determine there is no ongoing risk to the public, we will not issue a notification or provide details to protect a patient’s privacy rights."
Posting employee cases for transparency: Loblaws
Loblaw said it is choosing to share updates about positive COVID-19 test results among its staff in order to maintain transparency.
"In these cases, we work closely with public health and follow their guidance to ensure proper notification of close contacts and required cleaning and sanitization in our stores," the company notes on its website.
"In all of our stores, we encourage our colleagues and employees to wear masks, particularly where physical distancing is not always possible," the statement continues.
“Whenever we have a positive case, we arrange for additional cleaning, and we work closely with the local public health unit to determine the appropriate next steps, including identifying and notifying close contacts. Anyone who meets that criteria from the store is asked to go home, self-isolate and monitor for symptoms.
“Generally, the risk to our customers remains low, due to the physical distancing and sanitization measures that have been in place in our stores for months. We post any positive cases on our website.”
- With files from Lindsay William-Ross / Vancouver Is Awesome
