Niagara Regional Police have opened an investigation involving the Sobeys grocery store in Fonthill following allegations published in a local newspaper that the store's owner - who is also a town councillor - had contracted COVID-19.

On Wednesday, The Voice of Pelham published a story alleging Ward 2 Coun. Ron Kore had contracted the virus and had been at his store while symptomatic.

The Niagara Dailies have not been able to independently confirm The Voice's story, and Kore has declined to comment. However, the store was closed Thursday afternoon for a "deep clean" and workers could be seen outside wearing full personal protective equipment, including body suits.

A spokesperson for Sobeys did not respond to multiple interview requests from the Niagara Dailies Thursday. However, a spokeswoman told the CBC Thursday the company was informed Kore had COVID-19 on April 20 and that he is recovering in isolation at home.

On Thursday the town issued a press release that said it is aware of the story and "its assertions regarding Coun. Ron Kore's positive COVID-19 test."

"While the town is not in a position to confirm COVID-19 test results, the hope is that Coun. Kore is in good health; the town wishes good health on all our citizens," said the release, adding the municipality is co-operating with the police investigation.

Const. Phil Gavin confirmed there is a police investigation and that the NRP is "aware of the community concerns in relation to this COVID-related matter." He would not elaborate about the nature of the investigation.

"It would not be appropriate to comment further as it may jeopardize the investigation," Gavin said in a statement. "Further, we must also balance privacy and medical information."

Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara's acting medical officer of health, said that while his office does not comment on individual cases, public health officials do follow up investigations on all COVID-19 cases to identify people who may have been exposed.

If there was an instance in a store where several people could have been exposed, or there was a risk to the public, the health department would issue a press release asking those who had been at a location over a specific time frame to call the department.

"We have not done that regarding this Sobeys location," said Hirji, adding the health department did not order the store closed.

The police investigation comes after Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin accused Kore of coming to a council meeting March 23 showing symptoms of COVID-19, and said he may have infected another councillor.

The other councillor he referred to is Mike Ciolfi, who died April 13. The Niagara Dailies have not confirmed the Ward 1 councillor had COVID-19, as has been previously reported.

In an April 7 email, obtained by the Niagara Dailies, Junkin called Kore a "high-risk individual" and accused him of putting other people at risk and passing an illness on to another councillor.

"I am 67 years old and spent 45-plus years as a dairy farmer. That is 45-plus years breathing in hay dust and/or grain dust. I think it is safe to say that my lungs are what is currently being called compromised if I were to be infected with the COVID-19 virus. It could very easily be fatal for me," Junkin wrote to Kore, after the Ward 2 councillor complained in an email about virtual council meetings and being barred from an April 6 in-person meeting.

Wrote Junkin, "Is it just a coincidence that Mike got sick after our last council meeting, when he was sitting on the same side of the room as you? Maybe, maybe not. We will never know. I will not take that chance. A big healthy guy like Mike has been sicker than a dog for over a week, with fever, aches and pains. Why should any of us take that risk, when the technology is available to completely eliminate it."

Contacted Thursday, Kore said he has been given direction by Sobeys' head office to not speak to the media.

He also declined to answer questions about town council or Junkin's allegations.

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"I'm very sorry, but I'm not making any comments at this time," said Kore, who previously said the mayor's email was "mean-spirited."

Also at the March 23 in-person meeting was Ward 1 Coun. Marianne Stewart, who said she was contacted by public health sometime after the meeting. She would not say specifically why public health called her of if she was tested for the coronavirus. Nor would she answer questions about Kore and Ciolfi, directing questions to town chief administrative officer David Cribbs.

Junkin did not respond to interview requests Thursday.

Cribbs confirmed Thursday afternoon two staffers at town hall have tested positive for COVID-19 since March 23.

He said a "deep clean" has taken place at town hall and there are about five people working there each day currently.

"We are going to rely on the guidance of public health in respect to personal and professional precautions we need to take," he said.

Sobeys' head office did not respond to multiple interview requests for this story.

A Sobeys representative standing outside the Fonthill store Thursday afternoon said the store was closed to allow for a deep clean and would be reopened Friday.

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