HAMPTON, Va. - An employee at the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank has tested positive for COVID-19, the organization announced Saturday.
The organization says they were made aware on Friday and that the employee has not been in the Foodbank since Tuesday.
The Foodbank says their priority during the COVID-19 pandemic is to continue to provide emergency food assistance across the greater Virginia Peninsula, which is currently experiencing a double-digit increase in demand to the 71,000 of neighbors we normally serve in our community.
In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, Virginia Peninsula Foodbank says they have been actively monitoring developments related to COVID-19 and taking proactive measures to protect the health and well-being of our staff, volunteers, and neighbors as we continue to serve our community during this critical time.
The Foodbank initiated social distancing practices and increased sanitary and safety procedures in mid-March. Because of this, the exposure risk to our staff, volunteers, or the neighbors we serve was very low. Individuals who may have been in close contact with this staff member have been informed and will take the necessary precautions as defined within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
As of Saturday, the Foodbank says it has been thoroughly and professionally disinfected and sanitized and and will continue to follow guidelines established by the CDC to protect our staff, volunteers, partner agencies, and neighbors from exposure to COVID-19, including mandating the use of gloves for packing and sorting, sanitizing high-touch common surfaces, wearing face masks, maintaining proper social distancing, and requiring staff and volunteers to wash hands frequently and, especially, before and after shifts.
The Foodbank will be open for normal operations on Monday. The organization says they will monitor the weather forecast regarding the potential for inclement weather on Tuesday.