Worker at Waterdown Fortinos tests positive for COVID-19

An employee at the Fortinos grocery store in Waterdown has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the store's parent company.

Loblaws was notified on Wednesday that a worker at the location at 115 Hamilton St. N. in Waterdown tested positive on a presumptive test for COVID-19," according to a listing on their COVID-19 case tracker.

The last day the employee worked was Nov. 13.

According to Loblaws, when a worker tests positive they work closely with public health and follow their guidance to ensure proper notification of close contacts and required cleaning and sanitization in our stores."

It's unclear how many staff members were affected by the cases or if any were recommended to self-isolate as a precaution. The database also does not specify which part of the store the employee worked in.

A customer of the Food Basics grocery store on Upper James Street has also tested positive for COVID-19, according to the store's parent company.

The shopper was in the store on Nov. 6 and Metro was notified Nov. 12.

The database does not include how long the shopper was in the store or what time they were shopping.

When a case is reported at a store, the location is sanitized and given a deep clean," according to Metro's website.

If required, the company will also communicate with customers who have shopped in the impacted location to manage the situation."

Customers are required to wear masks in all Hamilton grocery stores, in accordance with the provincial masking order.

We will always do everything we can to support our teammates and ensure their safety, and the safety of our customers as well," Metro stated on its website.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com