Trader Joe's Employee In Howard County Suspected Coronavirus Case

ELKRIDGE, MD — The Elkridge Trader Joe's grocery store is closed for cleaning and re-stocking after an employee recently at work is suspected of having the new coronavirus. The chain posted the news on its website Tuesday saying that an employee who was in the store Monday is being treated for what doctors believe is the COVID-19 respiratory disease.

The grocery chain has temporarily closed the store at 6610 Marie Curie Drive in Elkridge for thorough cleaning and sanitization. Once the business has been cleaned and new merchandise stocked, it will re-open.

Trader Joe's said customers who visited the store in the past 14 days, ending on March 23, and have health concerns should contact the Howard County Health Department Coronavirus Information Line: (410) 313-6284.

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Symptoms of the coronavirus can include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are 349 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maryland, including 30 in Howard County, state health officials reported Tuesday morning.

"We are working closely with local health officials to take all necessary measures. We are connecting with all crew members at the respective locations, encouraging anyone who may have been in contact to follow CDC-recommended self-monitoring guidelines and to call their healthcare providers right away if they develop any symptoms," the Trader Joe's statement said.

While the store is closed, Trader Joe’s officials said all crew members will be paid for their scheduled shifts.

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