Forsyth Publix Worker Tests Positive For Coronavirus

CUMMING, GA — An associate of a Publix store in Cumming has tested positive, the grocery chain said Monday.

Publix said it received confirmation from the Georgia Department of Public Health that an associate who works at store 0026, Cruse Marketplace, 1735 Buford Highway, in Cumming, tested positive for coronavirus. The store completed a disinfection-level deep cleaning of the store in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Department of Public Health.

“At Publix, the health and well-being of our associates, our customers and our communities remains our top priority,” said Maria Brous, Publix Director of Communications. “Following our disinfection protocol and with the support of the public health department, the store is operating normal business hours. We are thinking of our associate and their family during this time and wishing them a swift recovery.”

The Georgia Department of Public Health told Publix that store customers are considered to be at low risk of exposure and the products sold at the store do not represent a risk to customers.

As part of Publix’s general response to coronavirus, the company had already implemented a heightened disinfection program focusing on high-touch surfaces like touch pads, door and drawer handles, phones and computers. It has also taken in-store measures, such as suspending food demonstrations, to focus on the health and safety of its associates, customers and community.

Additionally, to allow time to conduct additional preventive sanitation and restock product on shelves for the next day, Publix adjusted store hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in all stores). Stores added a designated senior shopping hour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 a.m., which included Publix Pharmacy, to best serve its customers.

See more: GA Coronavirus: Grocery Stores Set New Hours, Senior Guest Hour

Publix Charities said on Tuesday that it will donate $1 million to Feeding America member food banks across the Southeast.

“I want to thank Publix Super Markets Charities for this generous donation,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “During these unprecedented times that have affected nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives, many people may not know where their next meal is coming from. This donation will provide assistance to those impacted and help continue the work that Publix, Publix Charities and Feeding America do every day to alleviate hunger in the communities we serve.”

“Feeding America is thankful to Publix Super Markets Charities for its generous support of member food banks across the Southeast during this time of increased need,” said Feeding America Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Lauren Biedron. “This generous donation will help food banks provide food and other essential supplies to people hardest hit by this pandemic.”

The $1 million donation will be distributed to the following Feeding America member food banks in Georgia:

• America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Savannah: $15,000
• Atlanta Community Food Bank, Atlanta: $100,000
• Feeding the Valley, Midland: $5,000
• Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Athens: $5,000
• Golden Harvest Food Bank, Augusta: $15,000
• Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, Macon: $5,000
• Second Harvest of South Georgia, Valdosta: $5,000

Additionally, Publix said it wants to hire thousands of associates by the end of March to fill positions in its stores and distribution centers.

Various positions are available at stores throughout the company’s seven-state operating area and at nine distribution centers located in Boynton Beach, Deerfield Beach, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami, Orlando, and Sarasota, Florida; Lawrenceville, Georgia; and McCalla, Alabama. The company encourages submissions from people in service, manufacturing, warehousing and other industries who have recently found themselves unexpectedly without work.

Interested individuals should fill out an online application at www.publix.jobs.

Don't miss updates about precautions in Georgia as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

The number of confirmed and presumed positive cases of COVID-19 in Georgia rose to 1,247 cases on Wednesday afternoon from 1,097 cases Tuesday night. There have been 394 hospitalized and 40 deaths, as of Wednesday afternoon.

Globally, more than 438,000 people have been infected and more than 19,000 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Wednesday morning. Of that total, more than 55,000 confirmed cases were in the United States, with more than 800 U.S. deaths tied to the virus outbreak.