Updated: Walgreens in Poland Remains Closed, 6 Employees Quarantined

POLAND, Ohio — The Walgreens drugstore at 30 McKinley Way closed Monday, the result of one of its employees contracting coronavirus, sources told The Business Journal Monday.

That information was quickly disputed Monday by an individual who messaged us via Facebook, and described himself as a manager at the Walgreens store. Instead, he said the store was closed for “a deep cleaning.”

A “fake news” chain subsequently took hold on Facebook and it appeared that those who questioned our story may have taken down their comments.

The Business Journal subsequently received additional confirmation from multiple sources. Where our original story erred is that we reported that an employee tested positive. At least one employee, the store manager, did seek medical care because he was running a fever, we learned today, but he was not tested for coronavirus. We apologize for inaccuracies in previous versions of this story.

Five other store employees were placed on 14-day self-quarantine, according to information provided by a source with first-hand knowledge of the situation. That was determined after store video was reviewed to learn who had close contact with the manager for more than 10 minutes.

As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, there were 23 positive COVID-19 cases in Mahoning County and the city of Youngstown, according to the Mahoning County Board of Pubic Health. This afternoon, that number was 28 — 13 men and 10 women. Their ages range from 36 to 93, officials say.

The store remained closed Tuesday. Lights are on inside, however, and a few cars are in the parking lot.

We’re told an extensive deep cleaning has been completed and the store hopes to reopen Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the sign posted at the entrance says the store is “temporarily closed.” It refers customers to the “nearest open store” at 7295 Market St. in Boardman.

Pictured at top: Sign posted March 23 at the Walgreens at 30 McKinley Way in Poland.

Editor’s Note: This story is being revised, updated and corrected as additional information is received.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.