DENVER (AP) — Health officials have ordered the immediate closure of a Walmart in suburban Denver after three people connected to the store died after being infected with the coronavirus and at least six employees tested positive.
The Tri-County Health Department announced late Thursday that a 69-year-old man who worked for a private security company at the store died along with a 72-year-old store employee and her 63-year-old husband, who did not work at the store.
The health department said the store didn’t adhere to social distancing requirements under Colorado’s stay-at-home order that allows some businesses deemed essential, like Walmart, to remain open.
The dates of the deaths were not disclosed.
Besides the six other confirmed cases, three employees suspected of having COVID-19 are awaiting test results.
Walmart said in a statement that the store’s temporary closure would allow it to be cleaned and sanitized.