Since Christmas Eve, Loblaw Companies Ltd. has reported over 100 positive cases of COVID-19 across 60 locations in Ontario, a majority of them being in Toronto.
Loblaw has been actively recording cases of COVID-19 throughout their numerous stores, including Loblaws, Zehrs, Shoppers Drug Mart and Real Canadian Superstore, in an effort to be transparent throughout the pandemic and to keep customers and staff safe. In just the first four days of the new year, they reported that at least 70 Ontario employees had tested positive.
The most recent case in Toronto comes from the NOFRILLS at 449 Parliament Street, where it was reported that two team members tested positive. The employees last worked in the store on December 28 and 30.
A total of 31 locations in Toronto have recorded positive cases since December 24, which is about half of the affected stores. The remaining half is split between parts of the Greater Toronto Area, like Mississauga, Brampton and Vaughan.
On Monday, Ontario reported an additional 3,270 cases provincial wide, with 974 cases in Toronto, bringing the seven-day average closer to the 3,000 mark.
In response to the growing cases, the City of Toronto is tightening their workplace safety measures. Toronto Public Health announced on Monday that they will begin publishing all outbreak data in an effort to illustrate how COVID-19 is impacting the workplace.
“Toronto Public Health continues to review the most current evidence to identify ways to better protect our community against COVID-19,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer.
“This is why I am providing instructions to local businesses today to equip them with additional measures to prevent opportunities for this virus to spread and help keep these settings as safe as possible.”
There are currently 14 active workplace-related outbreaks in Toronto.
The city is urging businesses to follow the new guidelines to help stop the spread, and to limit the risk for frontline workers.
“At Toronto Public Health we will continue to do everything in our power – absolutely everything – to keep frontline essential workers safe,” said Councillor Joe Cressy, chair of the Toronto Board of Health.
