Researchers Find 20% of Grocery Workers Tested Positive in May for Covid-19; Most Were Asymptomatic

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This article originally appeared in the December edition of Presence Marketing’s Industry Newsletter

By Steven Hoffman

In a study published on October 29 in the peer-reviewed journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 20% of 104 grocery workers tested at a store in Boston in May tested positive for Covid-19. In addition, three out of four workers (76%) who tested positive showed no symptoms.

This was a significantly higher rate of infection than what was seen in the surrounding communities at the time (0.9 – 1.3%), said the Harvard University researchers who conducted the study entitled “Association Between SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Exposure Risk and Mental Health among a Cohort of Essential Retail Workers in the USA.”

The study authors added that grocery workers who had a customer-facing role were five times as likely to test positive for Covid-19 as co-workers in other positions. Those in supervisory roles were six times more likely to test positive for Covid-19 than co-workers in other types of roles, after accounting for potentially influential factors such as the prevalence of Covid-19 infections where they lived, the researchers said.

While the study sample was focused on just one store, “This is the first study to demonstrate the significant asymptomatic infection rate, exposure risks, and associated psychological distress of grocery retail essential workers during the pandemic,” the authors stated. 

“In this single store sample, we found a considerable asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among grocery workers. Employees with direct customer exposure were five times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2.” In addition, “those able to practice social distancing consistently at work had significantly lower risk of anxiety or depression,” the researchers concluded.

According to the study, workers who were less likely to practice social distancing consistently at work and more likely to commute to work on public transport or shared rides were more likely to report depressive symptoms. Those able to walk or bike to work or drive their own car were less likely to report depressive symptoms.

Since the study was conducted, many retailers have implemented mask requirements, plexiglass barriers and other social distancing practices. “I do think for stores and states with mask mandate, we most likely would not see this kind of numbers,” Dr. Justin Yang, one of the study’s co-authors, told Fox News on October 30. “But for stores and states without a mask mandate, this scenario could very well happen in other stores as well.” 

The study’s authors believe their findings support "the policy recommendations that employers and government officials should take actions on implementing preventive strategies and administrative arrangements, such as methods to reduce interpersonal contact, repeat and routine SARS-CoV-2 employee testing, to ensure the health and safety of essential workers." In addition, the authors stated, "Our significant mental health finding calls for action in providing comprehensive employee assistance services to help essential workers cope with the psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic."