14 staff test positive for COVID-19 at Fortinos in Vaughan over past month

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 18, 2021
Simon Martin

As positive tests for COVID-19 have increased across York Region in recent weeks, one grocery store has been particularly hard hit.

The Fortinos located at 8585 Hwy. 27 in Vaughan has had 14 employees test positive for COVID-19 recently, according to York Region Public Health.

Of the 14 cases, public health said 10 are York Region residents. Regional spokesperson, Patrick Casey, said regional staff have been in touch with the grocery store and say the location is stable with no evidence of workplace transmission.

"With widespread community transmission in York Region, everyone needs to take precautions when making essential trips in the community," Casey said.

The same location had 4 employees test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days in November.

A spokesperson for Loblaws said at this point, most of those cases are more than two weeks old, and are considered to be resolved.  Of the remaining 4 cases, they were last in the store between January 2-5.

Public health advises essential workers or those working in-person self-screen for symptoms before attending work every day and stay home, no matter how minor, is they have symptoms.

It also reminds the public that a negative test result does not shorten the 14-day self-isolation period since COVID-19 can take up to two weeks to develop.

According to the Loblaws COVID-19 policy, the company is prepared for all possible situations, including a positive test for COVID-19 in its stores.

In these cases, the store works closely with public health and follows its guidance to ensure proper notification of close contacts and required cleaning and sanitization of the store.