By Jeremy Sollars
Warwick has recorded its first confirmed case of coronavirus with a co-owner of Rose City Premium Meats in Rose City Shoppingworld having tested positive for the virus yesterday, Sunday 22 March.
The business has been pro-active in advising customers and will not trade until further notice as a precautionary measure, with all staff advised to commence self-isolation and with none currently exhibiting any symptoms.
Co-owner Peter Wright today told the Free Times he attended a function out of town the previous weekend where he caught the virus and did not exhibit any symptoms until last Friday 20 March, having then had himself tested as a matter of urgency.
Peter said the business is working closely with Queensland Health as a result and will provide any further advice from Queensland Health to the public as it becomes available.
His own symptoms are moderate and have mainly involved fatigue and head-cold type symptoms. None of his own family members have so far displayed symptoms.
Peter has asked customers and the community for their understanding during a difficult time for himself and the business and thanked the local community for their strong customer support in recent weeks, as well as his staff for their hard work during a period of increased demand.
Rose City Shoppingworld remains open and all other businesses are trading as normal.
Rose City Premium Meats issued the following statement earlier today, Monday 23 March –
“In the interest of public safety and the health and wellbeing of our valued customers, Rose City Premium Meats is advising a member of the RCPM team has returned a positive COVID19 test result,” the statement said.
“By following the advice of Queensland Health, the RCPM Rose City Shoppingworld store will be closed as of (today) Monday, March 23, until further notice.
“To comply with Queensland Health guidelines, all RCPM staff are currently in home isolation for the required period.
“We would like to reassure our customers we have been swift and immediate in our action.
“Advice from Queensland Health is that there is no transmission risk from food items purchased from the RCPM store.
“In relation to customer risk, we are waiting on the latest advice from Queensland Health – we will make this available as soon as it becomes available.
“RCPM management thank you for your understanding at this time.”
As of today there are no other confirmed coronavirus cases in the Southern Downs Regional Council area.
