SUPERMARKET CONFIRM COVID TESCOSHOCK AS STAFF TEST POSITIVEFOR CORONAVIRUS Affected workers are self-isolating after outbreak
A number of staff members at a Wishaw supermarket have tested positive for Covid-19.
It’s understood as many as seven workers at Tesco Extra in Belhaven Road have been confirmed with the coronavirus and are now self-isolating.
NHS Lanarkshire confirmed that a “small number” had tested positive and that contact tracing has been carried out to identify anyone else who had close contact with those affected.
They say the “risk to the wider community from this location has been assessed as low”.
Tesco say that the safety of staff, customers and suppliers remains their “number one priority”.
The store has remained open and is operating in line with Scottish Government guidance.
A source who asked not to be identified told the Wishaw Press that staff had yet to be officially informed by senior management of the outbreak.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “A small number of colleagues at our Wishaw store have tested positive for Covid-19 and are self-isolating. Their close contacts have been informed. The safety of our colleagues, customers and suppliers remains our number one priority and we are following all Scottish Government guidance and taking the relevant precautions. We have extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe, including protective screens at every checkout, social distancing signage and regular deep cleaning.”
Dr David Cromie, consultant in public health medicine, said: “NHS Lanarkshire has conducted a contact tracing exercise for anyone who had close contact with a small number of cases who tested
positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) infection. To date, all cases and their contacts have been identified and are self-isolating.
“The risk to the wider community from this location has been assessed as low.
“To respect and maintain patient confidentiality it is not possible to release any further information at this time.”
“The key symptoms of Covid-19 are – new continuous cough, high temperature and/or loss of taste and smell. Anyone who develops any of these symptoms should book a test and self-isolate immediately.”
The news of the cases linked to the Tesco store comes as public health officials warn that the number of people infected by coronavirus in Lanarkshire is on the increase and added restrictions such as those imposed recently on five local authority areas – Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire , West Dunbartonshire, and East Dunbartonshire – could also be implemented here.
NHS Lanarkshire director of public health, Gabe Docherty, has called on residents to help do their bit to ensure that doesn’t happen.
“No one wants another lockdown but Lanarkshire is very close to facing additional Covid-19 restrictions similar to those in Glasgow and neighbouring areas,”he admitted.
“We need everyone’s help to avoid that happening by following well-publicised advice.”
He also called on people who have been overseas to restricted travel areas to ensure they isolate for 14 days on their return.
“If you have symptoms, even mild, please do not attend work. Similarly, it’s crucially important people limit the amount of people they have close contact with,”he added.