An outbreak of COVID-19 has been confirmed at the Cochrane location.

As of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, the outbreak has yet to be added to the Alberta Health Services (AHS) list of active outbreaks; however, Walmart Canada Corp. has confirmed an active "COVID outbreak [at] Cochrane Walmart Store # 1135."

In an email correspondence between CochraneNow and Walmart Canada, the Manager of Corporate Affairs, Felicia Fefer says "several associates from our Cochrane Walmart store have recently tested positive for COVID-19."

She adds that precautions have been implemented for the safety of staff as well as Walmart customers.

"We conducted a deep cleaning," says Fefer. "Out of an abundance of caution, when an associate who works in one of our stores is confirmed as having tested positive, associates identified as being in close prolonged contact are directed to self-isolate."

The store's hours of operation have also been modified. The Cochrane location was previously open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and reduced hours are now in effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Fefer goes on to say that "safety continues to be a top priority at Walmart." She says that the company "will continue to take measures to support the well-being of our customers and associates." 

The affected associates' last working shifts range between April 12 -20.

Fefer says that the following safety measures continue to be in place throughout all Walmart locations across the country:

  • Mandatory masks for customers and associates.
  • Limited capacity
  • Floor markings and one-way aisles
  • Increased cleaning throughout the store
  • Wellness/ temperature checks for all associates 
  • Cleaning shopping carts
  • Regular handwashing
  • Regular cleaning of work areas 
  •  Installed plexiglass dividers throughout the store