Two H-E-B employees at different local stores tested positive for the virus, according to online notices on both stores' websites. The first local case at an H-E-B was reported April 9 at the Summerwood Market at H-E-B at 12680 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Houston. The employee was last in the store on March 29, per the notice.
The H-E-B Market at Northpark, located at 19529 Northpark Drive, Kingwood, reported April 10 that an employee who worked at the store tested positive for the virus, but the employee has not been in the store since March 27.
"All partners at the location have been notified and the store has been deep cleaned and sanitized multiple times since then, and we continue to enforce proper social distancing practices," the statement read.
Additionally, two employees at the Kroger in Atascocita at 19300 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Humble, tested positive for the virus roughly two weeks ago, said Clara Campbell with Kroger corporate affairs. Campbell said the company can confirm that neither associate has worked in the store since March 31, and both employees are receiving medical care and have been quarantined.
Since then, Kroger stores have recently taken additional measures across all locations to ensure a safe and clean environment, she said. Measures include encouraging associates to wear protective masks and gloves, expanding temperature checks to stores, enhancing daily sanitation practices and adding floor decals to promote social distancing.
Meanwhile, Aldi, a discount grocery chain, has not had employees test positive for the virus in any location across the Houston area, which includes three locations in Humble, Kingwood and Atascocita, according to a statement from Aldi. The statement said the company has implemented measures to encourage social distancing within the store.
"Last week we began limiting the number of people inside our stores to approximately five customers per 1,000 square feet," the statement read. "Inside the store, we rolled out one-way aisles to better manage the flow of traffic and help our customers maintain social distance from each other and our team members."
Correction: The title for Aldi has been updated.
