Walmart workers at the same Illinois store die from coronavirus, company says

Two people who worked at the same Chicago-area Walmart have died from coronavirus, the company said Sunday.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of two associates at our Evergreen Park store, and we are mourning along with their families,” the company said in an emailed statement obtained by CNN.

The associates’ names and ages have not been reported.

A representative for Walmart said neither associate had been in the store in more than a week, but that the store was reinforcing its sanitation efforts and deep-cleaning “key areas,” WMAQ reported.

The store also went through an external safety assessment.

“Within the last week, the store passed a third-party safety and environmental compliance assessment as well as a health department inspection,” communications manager Payton McCormick said, according to the outlet.

After learning of the deaths, Evergreen Park Mayor James Sexton temporarily suspended the store’s liquor license but it has since been reinstated, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Last week, Walmart announced that it had would begin checking employees for fevers nationwide before they’re allowed to start their shifts, McClatchy News reported.

The company said it’s sending infrared thermometers to all locations, a process that’s expected to take roughly three weeks.

Walmart added it’s also making gloves and masks available for all associates who want to wear them, as supplies permit, McClatchy reported.

On Friday, Walmart announced its plans to limit the number of customers allowed in the store at one time to roughly 20% capacity, the company said in a news release. Nationwide, stores will only allow five customers inside for every 1,000 square feet.

Store officials said the change comes after “some customers were exhibiting risky behavior” and not adhering to social distancing guidelines, McClatchy reported.

Customers will be required to line up outside one door, usually the one near the grocery section, and will be admitted one-by-one. The company will also implement one-way movement through the aisles in a number of stores, the company said.

“We’ll also institute one-way movement through our aisles next week in a number of our stores, using floor markers and direction from associates. We expect this to help more customers avoid coming into close contact with others as they shop.”