Clerk At Largo Giant Food Store Dies Of Coronavirus

LARGO, MD — Leilani Jordan, a 27-year-old Giant Food clerk, died April 1 of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, according to news reports. Jordan had worked for six years at the Campus Way South store in Largo.

"We are saddened to confirm that a store associate from our Campus Way South location in Largo passed away from COVID-19," Giant Food said, in a statement. "We were informed of her passing on Thursday morning by her family. We can only imagine the heartache they are experiencing and have offered our support during this difficult time. We have also shared the news with our team at that location and are providing counseling resources through our Employee Assistance Program."

Jordan's mother Zenobia Shepherd told WUSA9 that her daughter was a member of the store's disability program.

"She just loved her little job," Shepherd told WUSA9. "She did whatever they needed helping people.”

According to Giant Food's statement, the store only learned that Jordan had been ill on March 28.

"She had not worked at the store since March 16th, so we do not believe any other associates or customers are at risk," the statement said. "Regardless, following the guidance from health authorities, we have taken appropriate actions to keep our associates and our customers safe while we continue to provide an essential service to our communities, including additional cleaning and disinfecting of the store that took place when we learned of the associate’s diagnosis. We encourage our associates and customers to continue taking steps to prevent the spread of any germs and to follow the recommendations from the CDC, including regular handwashing, social distancing and staying home when sick."

Prince George's County has the most coronavirus cases and deaths of any other county in Maryland. As of Thursday, there are 1,476 coronavirus cases and 35 deaths due to COVID-19 in PG County.

“The growing threat from the novel coronavirus is an existential threat to our way of life,"Council Member (At-Large) Mel Franklin said in a statement. "The front-line employees in our County and around our country who have been designated as 'essential,' such as our grocery store workers, are at grave risk for being infected by this very deadly virus and should be fully protected as they valiantly provide our families with the food we need."

Franklin made a point to acknowledge Jordan's death in his statement.

"I am also mindful that we just lost an angel in the form of Leilani Jordan, a resident with differing abilities who continued working in order to take care of the seniors in her community," he said. "I extend my condolences and prayers to her family."

Giant Food joined Safeway in Maryland in implementing measures to promote social distancing during the new coronavirus pandemic.

Giant Food said it is implementing one-way aisle traffic across all its stores. Arrow markers on the floor will establish traffic direction through the aisles and associates will be on hand to point customers in the right direction. Signage also will be available in the store to remind customers to maintain at least six feet of distance from others.

Starting Thursday, Giant Food also will limit the number of customers in its stores. Occupancy will be limited to 20 percent of each specific store's overall capacity, taking into consideration shelving and display fixtures. To manage customer occupancy limits, an associate will be stationed at the front entrance tracking shopper flow. Signage will be placed at front entrances communicating the updated occupancy limits.

Also read ...

• Giant grocery store employee in Largo dies after being diagnosed with coronavirus
• Giant Food, Safeway Limit Shoppers, 1-Way Aisles: Coronavirus
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• Maryland Coronavirus Cases Swell To 5,529; Officials Say 124 Dead
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