Coronavirus: 5 Food Handlers Test Positive In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases have continued to climb in San Diego County, including five food handlers who have tested positive for COVID-19.

One grocery store employee and four restaurant employees have been diagnosed with COVID-19, county health officials announced Sunday.

The grocery store employee who tested positive works at an Albertsons store in Escondido, Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said. He noted that the store did the "right thing" by closing, alerting environmental health officials, following sanitation protocols, and then re-opening to customers.

"If you have a sick worker, they must stay home," Fletcher said. He urged employers to call 858-505-6814 or email fhdepi@sdcounty.ca.gov to report any sick workers.

Dr. Eric McDonald, the county's medical director of epidemiology, said co-workers of the Albertsons employee who display symptoms will be sent home, but there were no tests pending in the case.

Health officials also stressed that there is no evidence of COVID-19 association with food. They cited the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Fletcher added that the county is increasing inspections of food facilities in the region.

"At this time, we have full safety and confidence in the integrity of our food safety system throughout San Diego County," he said.

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There were 31 new cases reported Sunday, bringing the region's total to 603.

Of the people who have tested positive, 219 were women and 298 were men, with 106 people hospitalized and 47 in intensive care, officials said. There have been seven deaths in the county.

"I want to thank San Diegans for being patient and following orders to stay at home and use social distancing," San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Cox said. "That's going to get harder and harder as we get further into this crisis, but it's the best way to slow down the spread of this virus, and certainly, flatten the curve."

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Patch editor Kristina Houck and City News Service contributed to this report.