Coronavirus: Woolworths and Coles shoppers warned as several staff test positive

Shoppers are being told to look out for symptoms after five Woolworths stores in Melbourne have all had a member of staff or contractor test positive for coronavirus.

Stores in Carrum Downs, Lilydale, Cragieburn Highlands, Highpoint West and Tarneit Gardens have all had a staff member or contractor diagnosed with the virus, Woolworths confirmed to Yahoo News Australia.

The supermarket giant said Tarneit Gardens, Highpoint and Craigieburn stores underwent a deep clean on Tuesday night, while Lilydale and Carrum Downs stores will undergo a deep clean on Wednesday.

In a statement, Woolworths stressed the risk of transmission to customers and staff is low.

The process of identifying close contacts is underway, with Woolworths confirming all staff will be supported through any required isolation periods.

Shoppers who visited the Carrum Downs store on July 25, the Lilydale store on July 23, the Cragieburn Highlands stores on July 24, theHighpoint West store on July 17 and the Tarneit Gardens store on July 16 should look out for symptoms and contact the Department of Health and Human Services if they develop.

“As a food retailer, we already have very high standards of cleaning and hygiene in place,” Woolworths said.

Signage is in place in all of the stores to alert customers of the cases.

12 Coles staff members test positive

Ten Coles stores in Melbourne had 12 staff members test positive, the Herald Sun reported on Tuesday. The Braybrook and Greenvale stores had two cases each.

Coles told the Herald Sun some staff at affected stores were self-isolating and the supermarket said the risk of transmission to customers and team members was low.

Meanwhile more than 300 cases are workers at Victoria’s meat processing plants. Any shortage of meat in Victorian supermarkets is only expected to be short-term.

Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire is now entering its fourth week of a six-week lockdown implemented in a bid to curtail the surge in coronavirus cases.

While on Monday the state recorded its highest daily total of cases with 532, the last two days have seen that number drop, with Wednesday’s daily figure at 295.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.