© Provided by Richmond-Petersburg WWBT Kroger store front

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - An employee at a Henrico Kroger has tested positive for COVID-19.

Kroger officials said the associate works at the Kroger along Eastridge Road, and the employee is quarantined at home.

“We remain committed to the health and safety of our associates and customers. Since this associate last worked, an extensive deep cleaning & sanitation was completed. On an ongoing basis, we have aggressive cleaning and sanitation procedures in place at all of our stores and are continuing to adhere to all guidance from local, state and federal agencies, including the CDC,” said Allison McGee, corporate affairs manager with Kroger Mid-Atlantic.

While grocery stores remain a vital link to the essential items we all need to get through the Pandemic those locations aren’t exempt from it’s spread.

“It’s really scary to be honest with you...I haven’t heard about anybody that’s had it in a grocery store up to this point, but now I just worry about the people in this area who do shop at this location,” India Watts said.

“What we do know is that when somebody is coughing or sneezing, those respiratory droplets can stay in the air for up to three hours,” Henrico and Richmond Health Director Dr. Danny Avula said.

Avula says it’s only a matter of time before more grocery store workers catch the virus.

“I do think it’s highly likely that both individuals going to grocery stores and employees of grocery stores will have this disease at some point,” Avula said.

Doctors advise not to go out during the peak shopping hours.

“Stores have been enacting physical distancing by actually marking out where you stand in line and trying to maintain that six-foot distance, and I think those are important practices,” Avula said.

Copyright 2020 WWBT. All rights reserved.

Submit a news tip.