Brattleboro Food Co-op Staff member tests positive for COVID-19

This week we learned that a staff member in our Front End tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon learning of the result, we moved quickly to notify our local health department to discuss our plan and also began deep cleaning, additional sanitizing, and contact tracing within the staff. We are following all recommended guidelines from public health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and city, county, and state public health departments.

The staff member in question works only in the Front End at the Brattleboro Food Co-op. They last worked on Thursday December 31 in the Front End.

Guidance from public health authorities is that individuals who were in “close contact”* (as defined by the CDC as “Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period” with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19) should self-quarantine. The Brattleboro Food Co-op has identified other staff who may have been in “close contact” with the affected staff person and is supporting these additional staff as they self-quarantine and test. The good news is that those who have received their test results have tested negative.  Our co-op has a generous sick and vacation policy, and we are working with employees on a case-by-case basis to ensure they have the support they need.

Across our co-op, we have asked any staff exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness or fever to stay home, contact our HR department, and notify their physician.

After rigorous cleaning and over-night sanitizing in all areas of our Front End, the Brattleboro Food Co-op store continues to remain open for business from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Our co-op prides itself on its cleanliness and food safety standards, and we are taking multiple steps to best serve you, care for our staff, and be a responsible member of our community. We have implemented rigorous cleaning practices throughout our store, including more frequent cleanings of high-touch areas across our entire co-op. To learn more about the steps we are taking, please see “Answering Your Questions about COVID-19 and the Co-op**”, if you feel you have come in close contact with a member of the affected department and want more information, please contact us at [email protected].

* https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

** https://brattleborofoodcoop.coop/covid-19/2020/07/answering-your-questions-about-covid-19-and-the-co-op/

For more information: Jon Megas-Russell (802-257-0236 ext 813)

[email protected]