Viral images on social media make the claim that large companies with thousands of employees like Walmart, Amazon, Target, “Kroeger” (sic) and “Cosco” (sic) have not had any reported cases of COVID-19 among their employees.
In the claim, the images imply that it is difficult to explain how essential workers in these companies have witnessed no infections while “all the meatpacking plants” and small businesses are shutting down or prevented from opening, ( here ; here ). The claim on social media is false.
WALMART
Local and national media reports have widely reported on dozens of COVID-19 infections among Walmart employees including 23 cases in Massachusetts ( here ) and two cases in New York ( here ).
In April, a Walmart store in Colorado was closed by local authorities after the death of three people linked to the location, Bloomberg reported ( here ). NPR reported that Walmart is also facing a wrongful-death lawsuit “from the family of a worker who died of coronavirus complications” in the Chicago-area ( here ). In a statement to NPR, Walmart said: "We take this issue seriously and will respond with the court once we have been served with the complaint.”
AMAZON
On March 30, Reuters reported on positive COVID-19 cases at 19 Amazon warehouse locations in the U.S. ( here ).
Numerous other media reports have confirmed cases of the new coronavirus among Amazon employees in New York ( here ), Connecticut ( here ), Delaware ( here ) and Florida ( here ).
In New York, Amazon fired two employees who criticized warehouse working conditions in April ( here ).
TARGET
Local media outlets have reported on confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in North Dakota ( here ), Texas ( here ) and Virginia ( here ).
The Chicago Tribune reported that Target has extended its temporary raises as online sales continue to surge ( here ).
KROGER
On April 28, Kroger fired a worker with COVID-19 symptoms after promising paid-leave lawsuit ( here ).
WFPL reported that 13 Kroger employees have tested positive for COVID-19 in Louisville Kentucky ( here ). In response, Kroger’s Erin Grant issued a statement to WFPL: ““Our store management teams are working tirelessly for their customers and associates, and going above and beyond their normal duties to support their teams. They are working long hours to make sure our communities get what they need to support their families,” Kroger’s Erin Grant said in response.”
COSTCO
Regina Lee, a Costco travel agent, was the first Costco employee to die from COVID-19 on March 15, Yahoo News reported ( here ). Buzzfeed News reported that some Costco workers said that the company left “its workers unprotected and uninformed on the front lines of the worst global health crisis of their lifetimes.” ( here )
Costco employees have also reportedly tested positive for the new coronavirus in Nevada ( here ) and Hawaii ( here ).
In a company-wide address on March 30, Costco CEO Craig Jelinek said: “While we should be very proud of serving our communities, at the same time I know Costco employees have personal concerns and anxiety as well […] So I want to be clear about this: The business of Costco is important, and our communities and coworkers depend on us. But there’s no higher priority than your own well-being and the well-being of your families.” ( here ).
CONCLUSION
Positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported on nationwide among employees at Walmart, Amazon, Target, Kroger and Costco.
Amazon, Target, and Walmart ( here ) workers are calling out of work on May 1 over coronavirus safety concerns ( here ).
VERDICT
False. Walmart, Amazon, Target, Kroger, and Costco have had reported cases of COVID-19 among their employees.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our work to fact-check social media posts here .
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.