Tesco worker dies after supermarket outbreak leaves '50 employees struck down with Covid'

A TESCO worker has died after a supermarket outbreak left 50 employees struck down with Covid, it's reported.

The chain has confirmed that a number of staff working at the store in Stretford, Old Trafford are isolating after the death of their colleague.

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Shoppers are today being turned away from the Greater Manchester store, it's reported.

It comes amid a massive spike in infections in the Trafford area, up by 35 percent in the week ending January 8.

Nationally, the rise was 12 per cent.

However, chiefs at the business haven't officially confirmed the cause of the worker's death 'out of respect for the employee's family'.

It's reported that up to 50 people who work at the Tesco Extra store are in isolation as a result of an outbreak.

Officials said a "number of colleagues" are unable to work because of "self-isolation, Test and Trace or Covid-19".

But the family of one worker told the MEN: "One person has died, and in the past week, 50 members of staff are off with Covid or are waiting for results.

"Yet the store is just telling staff to wash their hands, and they won't be reprimanded for going to the toilet too much."

Tesco insists 'extensive measures' are in place across all stores, including a limit on the number allowed inside at any one time.

Social distancing signs are also in place, they said, while sanitising stations have been set up and checkout workers are protected by screens.

Boris Johnson yesterday warned shoppers about the risk of picking up goods in supermarkets.

It is the first time Mr Johnson has warned against handling goods in stores.

"Please remember that this disease can be passed on, not just by standing too near someone in a supermarket queue, but also by handling something touched by an infected person," he said during his national address.

"Remember also that one in three people with Covid-19 have no symptoms and that's why the original message of 'hands, face, space' is as important now as it has ever been."

Supermarkets have been warned to be stricter on shoppers who aren't complying with coronavirus rules, with security guards on the doors of many branches to ensure masks are being worn.

Currently, rules on food shopping during the pandemic are just guidelines – but they could be made into law in the future.

The warning has prompted many major supermarkets, including Tesco, to ban shoppers from entering without a mask.

A spokesperson from the store said: "A number of colleagues at our Streford store are off work due to self-isolation, Test and Trace and Covid.

"The safety of our colleagues and customers is our number one priority and we're following all Government guidance, working closely with public health authorities and taking all the relevant precautions.

"We have extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a colleague at our Stratford store and we're supporting our colleagues at this difficult time."

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