Manahawkin ShopRite Employee Tests Positive For Coronavirus

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — An employee at ShopRite's Manahawkin store tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the store announced Saturday. The employee is no longer at work, and any colleagues who may have had close contact with him or her will self-quarantine for two weeks.

ShopRite did not reveal the employee's position. The Ocean County Health Department has reported 40 positive cases in Stafford and 46 in Barnegat as of Saturday morning.

The OCHD has reported 1,710 positive cases in the county as of Saturday morning. The department's case total by municipality goes by the patient's self-reported address at the time of testing.

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ShopRite's corporate owner, Wakefern, said its stores are undergoing a daily deep cleaning, including cleaning of common areas, restrooms, and high-touch surfaces such as conveyor belts and credit card keypads. It is not closing stores due to a sick employee unless told to do so by health officials. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

A Toms River ShopRite employee tested positive for the virus earlier this week. He or she was the sixth ShopRite employee in New Jersey to test positive, according to nj.com.

ShopRite stores have implemented deep cleaning to sanitize all areas used by associates and customers. Other measures include putting up Plexiglas shields between employees and customers and promoting social distancing.

Governor Phil Murphy announced 4,372 new cases Friday — New Jersey's highest daily figure yet — and 113 more deaths. The state has reported 29,895 positive cases and 646 deaths from the virus. Read more: Coronavirus Surpassing NJ's Top Causes Of Death As 113 More Die

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