COCHRANE— The Cochrane Walmart Supercentre remains in COVID-19 outbreak status.
A spokesperson for Alberta Health reported the store currently has two active cases of the virus and has listed 26 people as recovered as of Tuesday (May 18).
Alberta Health first confirmed the outbreak on April 27. At the time 21 cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the Cochrane Walmart.
“As with any outbreak, health officials are working hard to prevent future spread. Proven processes are being implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of everyone involved,” said the spokesperson. “This includes conducting contact tracing and making sure that anyone at risk of exposure is contacted, isolated and tested.”
A statement provided by Alberta Health Services said Walmart took proactive steps to notify Alberta Health Services and Environmental Public Health about the COVID-19 outbreak.
Alberta Health Services said the company took immediate action to address the outbreak of the virus including reducing shifts and the number of staff working at any given time.
All areas affected in the outbreak have also been fully cleaned and disinfected.
“This business has followed required public health directives and guidelines, including enhanced environmental cleaning, health pre-screening at the beginning of shifts, barriers at customer till and customer service areas, social distancing markers on floors, mandatory masking for all staff, provision of hand sanitizing stations and staff monitoring store numbers to ensure the capacity limit is not exceeded,” said an Alberta Health Services spokesperson.
Walmart provided a statement to The Cochrane Eagle regarding the status of the outbreak in Cochrane.
“Three associates from our Cochrane Walmart store have recently tested positive for COVID-19. We’re keeping the associates in our thoughts and wish them a speedy recovery,” said the statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, when an associate who works in one of our stores is confirmed as having tested positive, associates identified as being in close prolonged contact are directed to self-isolate. We are in contact with local public health.”
The associates last worked on May 3, May 5 and May 10.
A spokesperson with Walmart said safety remains a top priority at the company, and the store is continuing to take measures to support the well-being of customers and staff.
Additional health measures at the store include mandatory masks for anyone inside Walmart, customer capacity limits, floor markings and one-way aisles to promote physical distancing, increased cleaning of the store, cleaning shopping carts and the installation of Plexiglass dividers at registers, customer service desks and the pharmacy.
Enhanced cleaning of staff areas, regular hand washing and increased wellness checks including temperature checks are also available for staff.
Walmart is open with reduced hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
