Beverly Whole Foods Worker Tests Positive For Coronavirus

BEVERLY, MA — A worker at the Whole Foods store in Beverly has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

"The safety of our team members and customers is our top priority and we are diligently following all guidance from local health and food safety authorities," Whole Foods said in a statement.

The company sent a text message to employees at the store on Tuesday telling them about the positive test and outlining additional steps the store's managers were taking to protect workers and customers from contracting COVID-19. Whole Foods said it was increasing social distancing and crowd control. It also plans to provide workers personal protection equipment and begin an enhanced cleaning schedule at the Beverly store.

"If you feel sick, please stay home," the message concluded.

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A worker at the Whole Foods store in Swampscott died last month after contracting COVID-19, and the company temporarily closed its Lynnfield store on Sunday after multiple workers tested positive for coronavirus.

On Monday, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey led a coalition of attorneys general from Massachusetts and 12 other states calling on Whole Foods and Amazon, its parent company, to strengthen measures to protect workers during the new coronavirus pandemic. The group demanded updated information on outstanding issues it had raised in a March 25 letter to Whole Foods and Amazon.

"Amazon and Whole Foods must take every possible step to protect their employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic," Healey said. "We again call on these companies to provide assurances that they are complying with state laws and federal guidance aimed at keeping essential workers safe during this crisis."

More Coronavirus Coverage On Massachusetts Patch:

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• Coronavirus Case Counts For Every Massachusetts Town (Updated May 6)

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).