LONDON, ONT. -- Walmart Canada has confirmed that three of their employees have tested positive for COVID-19 at their northwest London location.

“Three associates from our Walmart London North Supercentre (1280 Fanshawe Park Rd. W.) have recently tested positive for COVID-19. We’re keeping the associates in our thoughts and wish them a continued speedy recovery,” said spokesperson Adam Grachnik in a statement.

One of the employees was last at the store on Sept. 15, another Sept. 13, and the third on Sept. 6.

Grachnik says the store has undergone a deep cleaning and associates who may have been in close contact are in self-isolation.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit says the affected employees all worked in the checkout area and customers may have had a low-risk exposure to virus.

Officials recommend that both staff and customers monitor themselves for symptoms. The health unit is also asking that those who do not have symptoms refrain from seeking testing at an assessment centre.

Grachnik said that safety remains a top priority and that they have certain measures in place including:

  • Increased cleaning throughout the store.
  • Wellness checks that include a temperature check for all associates at the start of each shift.
  • Limiting the number of customers shopping in the store at one time.
  • Cleaning shopping carts.
  • Encouraging regular handwashing.
  • Regular cleaning of work areas (including checkouts).
  • Installed plexi-glass dividers at registers, customer service desks and in our pharmacies.
  • Introduced floor markings and one-way aisles to create physical distancing.
  • Mandatory masks for customers and associates

“We have been following up directly with these individuals and continue to support not only them, but also their close contacts as we continue our investigation and take the steps necessary to reduce any further spread,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health with the MLHU.

“We know this news may cause concern, particularly as we’ve seen an increase in local cases this week, but it also is an important reminder of the steps we can all take to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We all have to do our part.”