Publix confirms coronavirus-positive employee in Marathon

The Florida-based Publix grocery store confirmed late on April 2 that a Marathon store associate tested positive for COVID-19. It is the first and only case in Marathon, according to the state Department of Health in Monroe County.

Neither the health department nor the grocery store has named the individual.

In the past few days, news reports from around the state have also cited corona positive employees at stores in Miami-Dade, Jacksonville, Orlando and Clearwater. The rumors hit the Keys’ social media on April 1, showing a screenshot of an internal corporate memo.

According to Publix, the Marathon employee will be self-quarantined and receive paid leave for 14 days as will any Publix employee who tests positive for COVID-19. Publix said it will also quarantine and provide paid leave for 14 days for associates who have been in close contact with the positive patient.

“As an essential service provider, the health and well-being of our customers, associates and communities are our top priority,” the email to the Weekly said. “We are proud of how our dedicated associates are taking care of our customers and each other through this unprecedented and challenging time. And, we thank our customers for continuing to trust us with providing them with the goods and services they need.”

The email also said it’s impossible for the corporation to confirm employees who test positive “in real time.”

Here are some measures Publix is taking to help protect employees and shoppers:

  • A heightened ongoing disinfection program focusing on high-touch surfaces like touch pads, door and drawer handles, phones and computers. 
  • Continued cleaning and sanitization of stores.       
  • The installation of plexiglass shields at registers, customer service desks and pharmacies in all stores. 
  • In-store signage and public address announcements reminding customers and associates of social distancing.  
  • Visual reminders of appropriate six-foot spacing via marked lines at registers. 
  • Adjusted store hours to allow more time to conduct additional disinfection measures and restock shelves. 

Publix has 809 stores throughout the state of Florida.  

 

Sara Matthis thinks community journalism is important, but not serious; likes weird and wonderful children (she has two); and occasionally tortures herself with sprint-distance triathlons, but only if she has a good chance of beating her sister.