This afternoon at the daily San Diego County media briefing, health officials stated that five local food handlers have tested positive for COVID-19, including four restaurant employees and one grocery store employee.
"Fortunately, there is no additional loss of life to report today," explained San Diego Supervisor Nathan Fletcher during Sunday’s briefing on the coronavirus pandemic. "
While the COVID-19 death toll in San Diego remained at seven, Fletcher further announced that a grocery store employee from an Albertson’s store in Escondido tested positive. The store closed and immediately alerted county officials. Following a complete sanitation, the specific Albertson's location reopened to customers. San Diego County medical director of epidemiology Dr. Eric McDonald stated co-workers of the Albertson’s employee who display any symptoms of the coronavirus infection will be sent home, but there are currently no tests pending in this case. Expects have indicated that an infected person could be asymptomatic yet extremely contagious for 2-14 days.
While San Diego health officials continued to stress there is no evidence of COVID-19 association with food, citing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, it was further revealed that 4 local restaurant workers had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The county refused to name the specific eateries where the infected worked. San Diego Country Supervisor Fletcher indicated that the county would be increasing inspections of the many food facilities in the region in the near future. It is advised that patrons purchasing take-out foods wash any packaging before bringing into home, as the COVID-19 virus is believed to remain infection on surfaces for a few hours up to numerous days. Employers are urged to call 858.505.6814 to report any sick workers.
Also this weekend, San Diego County representatives explained that public health and closure orders are extended indefinitely until further notice. They were previously set to expire March 31. Currently, the number of COVID-19 cases in San Diego County is 488 - 206 female and 280 male, with 96 people hospitalized and 42 in intensive care. For more information, visit coronavirus-sd.com.
This is a developing story: We will update this post as we learn more.
