Twenty-four HEB employees in San Antonio tested positive for COVID-19 last weekend, according to the supermarket chain’s website.
In June, more than 100 HEB employees working in supermarkets in San Antonio were infected with COVID-19, including the 24 cases from last weekend.
Since March, the supermarket chain has regularly announced on its website when one of its employees tests positive and has done so because it believes “transparency is important,” according to an email response. HEB does not reveal the identity of the employee and only informs the public in which stores there was a positive case. Walmart and Target told mySA.com that it will not disclose that information to the public.
Visit our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com, for a list of stores affected by recent employee cases.
When an employee is confirmed to be positive for COVID-19, HEB notifies staff members at the store via text message, HEB spokeswoman Dya Campos said.
“Our goal, initially, was within 24 hours, but we are even faster than that,” Campos said. “As soon as we are notified and confirmed, a text message will be sent to all store associates, so not just those who are in close contact. It is addressed to everyone.”
Stores with the infected employee are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected multiple times. HEB has dedicated teams of COVID-19 employees and action managers at each store who are trained to ensure that sanitation and social distancing measures are followed.
If an employee feels sick or is waiting for the results, HEB requires them to stay home, according to their website.
Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @CillaAguirre