Asda Leith confirm second case of coronavirus in store

A second case of coronavirus has been confirmed at Asda superstore in Leith

A second employee at Asda in Leith has tested positive for coronavirus, it has been reported.

Last week a staff member working on the deli counter tested positive for the virus on Saturday after working at the store on Thursday and Friday.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, GMB Union ASDA Organiser, Robert Deavy said that managers at the Leith superstore had confirmed the case but were not classing it as ‘an outbreak’.

The first employee tested positive two days before the second

The official government definition of a cluster in a non-residential setting is: “Two or more test-confirmed cases of Covid-19 among individuals associated with a specific non-residential setting with illness onset dates within a 14-day period.”

It is understood that the store has undergone a deep clean at the section of the store where the first coronavirus contractor worked and that these bags are the waste from that process.

An Asda spokesperson told Edinburgh Live: “The safety of colleagues and customers has been our key priority throughout the pandemic which is why we have extensive measures in place such as protective screens, social distancing signage and numerous hand sanitiser stations throughout all our stores. Following the reported case at the weekend, our Leith store immediately underwent a comprehensive deep clean to ensure it remains a safe environment for customers and colleagues. We continue to follow government guidance by asking any colleagues with coronavirus symptoms to immediately self-isolate and are supporting them by providing full pay during the isolation period.”

NHS Lothian have been contacted today for comment.

Asda provided no further comment.