BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Despite plexiglass barriers between cashiers and customers and stringent cleaning measures, Publix employees have not been completely protected from the coronavirus.
Several Publix locations in Brevard County have reported new cases of the novel coronavirus among employees, according to News 6 partner Florida Today.
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Tuesday marked the first day of Publix’s mask requirement for all customers. Wearing a medical mask or face covering has been shown to reduce the spread of coronavirus through respiratory droplets.
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Each of the following stores have reported new coronavirus cases in the past 14 days. A Publix spokesperson did not say the exact number of affected employees or whether those employees have since recovered:
- Store 202, 3200 Lake Washington Road, Melbourne
- Store 424, 1150 Malabar Road SE Suite 120, Palm Bay
- Store 467, 7777 N. Wickham Road, Suntree
- Store 523, 7325 N. U.S. 1, Port St. John
- Store 695, 145 Palm Bay Road NE, West Melbourne
- Store 760, 2301 State Road 524 Suite 150, Cocoa
- Store 1058, 270 .E Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach
- Store 1353, 2261 W. New Haven Ave., West Melbourne
"The testing and reporting of cases by health departments varies widely state-by-state.
“As a result, we cannot fully and accurately report cases in real time, but we have been, and will continue to be, keenly focused on intensive, ongoing protective measures in all our stores,” Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said in an email.
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Employees who test positive are given paid leave for 14 days and required to quarantine until they test negative for the coronavirus.
Publix also requires quarantine and paid leave for up to 14 days for associates who have been in close contact with an associate who tests positive.