Employees at Calgary McDonald's, Co-op gas bar have tested positive for COVID-19

Two employees — one at a Co-op gas station and another at a McDonald's — have tested positive for COVID-19 in Calgary.

An employee at the Glenmore Landing McDonald's at 1600 90th Ave. SW Calgary notified management on Wednesday that she had confirmed she had contracted the novel coronavirus, the fast-food chain said Thursday.

Store management closed the McDonald's location for a deep cleaning and the employee notified all co-workers he worked with. The employee's last shift was on April 2 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., McDonald's said.

Visitors to the store that day are encouraged to monitor for symptoms and contact Alberta Health Services for further guidance.

A co-op employee reports on COVID-19

An employee at a northeast Calgary gas bar also tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the closing of the cleaning facility and new guidelines for the co-op.

Calgary Co-op CEO Ken Keelor ​​said an employee at the Village Square gas bar came in with the diagnosis. a statement published on the organization's website on Wednesday.

“We are following up directly with potential victims,” ​​Keelor ​​said.

As a result, the gas station was closed for cleaning, employees were notified and Alberta Health Services was contacted, Keelor ​​said.

“It is spread through close contact,” says the Department of Health

When contacted Thursday, an Alberta Health Services spokeswoman said she could not comment on specific cases.

According to Tom McMillan, the agency fails to inform the public that when workers in food establishments or other businesses with public contact test positive for COVID-19, the virus “doesn't spread through the air like measles.”

“It's important to remember that this virus is spread through close contact,” McMillan said in a statement. “Anyone who is not in contact is not a threat.”

Security measures

Calgary Co-op has implemented new initiatives to improve safety, the company's CEO said in a statement.

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These include limiting customers to one family, directional signage on grocery store floors, and physical separation between employee and customer.

McDonald's previously closed all of its restaurants, takeout services and curbside pickup. Instead, it offers pickup and delivery.

Crews have been trained to minimize contact with patrons, a McDonald's spokeswoman said in a statement. In the kitchen, crews were reduced to maintain two meters of physical distance.

McDonald's also installed drive-thru shields and encouraged employees to wear gloves and wash their hands frequently.