More Publix and Aldi stores hit with coronavirus cases as Florida’s numbers rise

As Florida sees record-breaking days of COVID-19 cases, Publix and Aldi grocery stores have confirmed to the Miami Herald that an additional 13 of their locations have had employees test positive for the virus in South Florida.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, the Herald has confirmed over 40 grocery stores — including Publix, Aldi, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market — have had employees test positive.

In April, the Miami Herald reported 27 grocery stores in Miami-Dade and Broward counties had workers who’d tested positive. They included 20 Publix stores, three Trader Joe’s stores, three Aldi stores and a Whole Foods location.

Since then, nine Publix stores and four Aldi stores have had positive workers. In total, Aldi has had 19 of its more than 1,000 workers test positive in South Florida, the company said. Publix did not say how many employees tested positive, and neither company said when employees tested positive.

Aldi said “employees that have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past two weeks are in quarantine.”

Trader Joe’s did not respond for comment.

Aldi’s seeing a doubling of stores with cases coincides with coronavirus case trends in Florida during May and June.

Late April to the end of May, Florida saw anywhere from 900 to 2,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases each day. While grocery stores are considered essential and never closed, other businesses began opening, such as restaurants and stores.

But since June 13, Florida has seen several record-breaking days in coronavirus cases, with new daily cases reaching into the 3,000 to 4,000 range. Wednesday saw 5,508 new coronavirus cases, the most reported in the state since the pandemic began.

Publix and Aldi have both kept in place the coronavirus safety measures they put into place in March and April. They include a limit on the number of people inside stores, one-way aisles and floor markings separating customers by six feet, and plexiglass barriers at checkout. Also store and warehouse employees must wear masks or face coverings during their shifts.

Both grocery stores are also offering paid leave when workers are put on mandatory two weeks of quarantine.

Here are the new stores that have had positive workers:

Publix:

▪ 6525 Nova Dr. in Davie

▪ 150 S. Federal Hwy. in Deerfield Beach

▪ 601 S. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale

▪ 1415 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale

▪ 2501 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale

▪ Hypoluxo Road near Lake Worth

▪ 6876 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach

▪ 5410 Donald Ross Rd. in Palm Beach Gardens

▪ 18320 Collins Ave. in Sunny Isles Beach

Aldi:

▪ 5875 NW 105th Ct, Unit 100 in Doral

▪ 1460 W. 49th St. in Hialeah

▪ 1290 NE 108th St. in Northeast Miami-Dade

▪ 2481 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach

To see more Publix, Aldi, Trader Joe’s and Whole Food stores in which the Miami Herald has confirmed cases, read more here.

Staying Safe in Grocery Stores

There are safe ways to get groceries and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Following Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines are an important step. This includes wearing a mask in stores, which is required by Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Grocery stores, like Publix and Aldi, are also offering no-cash pay and contactless payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay if you want to shop in the store. You can also shop during off-peak hours and wipe down carts and basket handles.

If going inside a store isn’t an option for you or not your preference, here are ways to avoid that:

Curbside Pick-up:

Grocery stores like Publix, Aldi and Walmart offer curbside pick-up at certain locations.

Go to a grocery chain’s website or app and follow the steps to buy groceries online and pick them up in the parking lot or next to the store. All store employees are required to wear masks at these grocery stores, so contact with other people will be minimal.

Delivery

Much like Uber and Lyft, there are many apps that can help with delivery groceries to your front door, and some are partnered with grocery stores to make the process easier.

Walmart allows for grocery delivery service through its website and app. Publix offers the same and uses Instacart. Amazon also has a grocery delivery service called Amazon Fresh, which comes free with Prime. Boxed delivers groceries to your door in bulk as well.

This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 7:32 AM.

Devoun Cetoute

Miami Herald

305-376-2026

Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.