Two major grocery store chains in Michigan are reporting that workers have died of COVID-19.
Kroger representatives confirmed Saturday that four of its employees from Detroit-area stores have died from the COVID-19. Meijer spokesperson Frank Guglielmi confirmed one death of a worker at an undisclosed location.
Ken DeLuca, president of The Kroger Co. of Michigan, provided the following statement in an email to MLive:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of four Kroger family members who worked at our stores in Northville (425 North Center St.), Troy (3125 John Road), Grosse Pointe (16919 Kercheval Ave.), and Livonia (30935 5 Mile Road), Michigan. We are mourning along with their families during this extraordinarily difficult time.”
DeLuca said Kroger stores are working with local health departments to ensure the safety of staff and customers, and have made mental health and grief counselors available for store employees.
The grocery store chain will implement a number of practices in response to the coronavirus-related deaths, including encouraging employees to wear masks and gloves, installing plexiglass windows at check-out lanes and limiting the number of customers in the store at a time.
“We continue to employ rigorous sanitation and physical distancing procedures in all of our facilities,” DeLuca said.
Meijer officials have informed staff members at the affected stores about the coronavirus-related death of its employee, Guglielmi said.
“Our team members are the heart of our stores,” Guglielmi said. “Every member of our team is a member of the Meijer family and this loss is deeply felt by all of us, especially those at the impacted stores. We share our profound condolences with the team members’ families and friends as they process this loss during these extraordinarily difficult times.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the closure of certain sections of grocery stores this week in an extension to her stay-at-home order, which is now in effect until April 30.
Michigan grocery stores are now subject to additional occupancy restrictions and must shut down non-essential areas of the store, including sections dedicated to carpeting, flooring, furniture, garden centers, plant nurseries or paint, according to Whitmer’s order.
Large stores are required to limit the number of people in the store at one time to no more than 4 customers for every 1,000 square feet of customer floor space, Whitmer ordered. Small stores must limit capacity to 25 percent of the total occupancy limits, including employees, under fire codes.
RELATED: Despite criticism, Gov. Whitmer defends revised stay-at-home order
Michigan reported 1,210 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 23,993. There have been 1,392 coronavirus-related deaths in the state since the first positive case was confirmed four weeks ago.
The coronavirus crisis has forced several major grocery chains in Michigan to limit hours of service in an effort to minimize crowding and protect both employees and customers.
Kroger announced in late March that it would hire 2,000 employees in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The grocery store chain also announced a $2 hourly increase for all employees on the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic, which is in effect for hours worked from March 29 through April 18.
A Meijer employee in Cedar Springs tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week, MLive previously reported. Company spokesperson Frank Guglielmi confirmed the news April 7 but declined to provide additional information, such as when the employee tested positive or last worked at the location.
Meijer representatives said the Cedar Springs store has since been “thoroughly cleaned” and store employees were notified of the positive case confirmation.
The Michigan-based grocery chain announced earlier this month that it would start conducting health screenings of all employees before they begin their shifts.
PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.
Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.
Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.
Read more from MLive:
Saturday, April 11: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan
Michigan reports 6th straight day of 100-plus coronavirus deaths
Despite criticism, Gov. Whitmer defends revised stay-at-home order
McLaren Flint Hospital employee dies due to coronavirus complications
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Kroger, Meijer report deaths of grocery store workers in Michigan from coronavirus
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