McDonald's restaurant shuts down after employee reports positive COVID-19 test

McDonald's has closed down one of its restaurants in southeast Calgary after an employee reported testingpositive for COVID-19.

The restaurant, at 20 Riverglen Drive S.E., was shut downafter the employee reported the complaint March 19. The employee last worked a shift on March 9.

"We are in contact with Alberta Health Services to confirm this report," reads a statement from McDonald's Canada. "Out of an abundance of caution, McDonald's Canada made the decision to immediately shut down the restaurant for a thorough cleaning and sanitation by third-party cleaning experts."

The restaurant will reopen once AHS has given approval, the statement says.

All restaurant staff who may have worked with the individual have been asked to self-quarantine.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health, didn't have specific information related to the case during her daily press conference Friday.

"I would caution all of you, if you're getting reports, sometimes those reports are simply of someone who is sick and is being tested, and they may not actually be a confirmed case," she said. "So that caution in terms of verification."

Hinshaw said COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness, but to be absolutely safe, people should wash their hands before eating food and use hand sanitizer.

Alberta has49 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the province's total to 195 cases, Hinshaw said Friday.

• Have you got a news tiptied to the COVID-19 outbreak? You can reach CBC Calgaryatcalgarynewstips@cbc.caor CBC Edmontonhere.