HAMILTON—An 18-year-old McDonald’s worker who said she had the coronavirus, causing the location on Rymal Road to shut down last week and employees to self-isolate was a faker, Hamilton police allege.

Police say it was all to get out of work.

On Monday, police were tipped from Hamilton Public Health Services about an individual who allegedly came up with a fake doctor’s note with fraudulent medical information about testing positive for COVID-19.

Investigators say the bogus note was given to a restaurant supervisor on March 19. The McDonald’s restaurant, on Rymal Road at Upper James, took immediate safety actions by closing the store and sending all employees home to self-isolate.

The restaurant remained closed for several days while professional cleaning services worked to sanitize the restaurant.

“The magnitude of the concern for public safety warranted police attention,” said Const. Lorraine Edwards, adding that the restaurant took the fake diagnosis very seriously.

It’s not clear how many employees were impacted.

An 18-year-old from Hamilton is facing charges of mischief over $5,000, fraud under $5,000, use a forged document and make forged document.

Police said the mischief charge is over $5,000 because of the cost to the business to sanitize. A total dollar loss was not clear.

The accused has been released on an undertaking and expected to appear in court on May 18.

Anyone with information can do so anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online.

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