Staff at Sainsbury's Bitterne test positive for coronavirus

A group of colleagues have tested positive for the virus at Sainsbury's in Bitterne, but the store has not been closed. 

The store, on Bitterne Road, has confirmed that a "small number" of their staff have been forced to isolate after testing positive.

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A number of other staff are also self-isolating as a precaution. 

Sainsbury's confirmed the cases to the Daily Echo today, adding that safety is their "highest priority". 

Management have introduced additional cleaning and have began to enforce stricter social distancing measures. There are also hand sanitiser stations, Perspex screens and PPE for all staff. 

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “A small number of colleagues have tested positive at our Bitterne store and they are self-isolating at home. Some colleagues are self-isolating as a precaution.

“Safety is our highest priority. We have introduced additional cleaning and have strict social distancing measures in all our stores, as well as hand sanitiser stations, Perspex screens and PPE for all our colleagues.

"We continue to support Test and Trace and remain in close contact with them.”

It has not been confirmed how many of the staff have tested positive or how many staff are currently self-isolating. 

The store remains open at this time.