A contractor has reported that 38 workers at a Charlotte construction site have tested positive for COVID-19.
Randal Curtis, executive vice-president and chief operations officer for Hoar Construction, said the infections occurred at 512 North College St. in uptown.
Last week, Mecklenburg County officials reported multiple cases at construction sites in the city and said more needs to be done to raise awareness of the virus for workers and the requirement of personal protective equipment, such as face masks and gloves.
Broadcaster WCNC reported that Curtis issued the following statement on May 22.
As a result, we have temporarily halted work on the job until June 1. All employees must be tested and receive a negative test result before returning to the job site or self-quarantine per their physician’s recommendations. While the site is closed, we will conduct a deep cleaning and sterilization of the area. Additionally, we will be working with a 3rd party to provide enhanced onsite screening upon reopening.
From the onset of COVID-19, we have implemented specific protocols based on CDC guidelines for social distancing and proper hygiene. This includes but is not limited to prescreening before entering our jobsite, increased handwashing and sanitation stations, staggered start times for our trade partners, daily cleanings, recommendations for face coverings, and social distancing markers and limits on occupancy in our buck hoist.
The College Street construction site is being developed by LMC into The Ellis, a 549-unit community. The mixed-use infill urban development consists of one mid-rise (seven stories) and one high-rise building (33 stories) and will feature 19,654 sq. ft. of retail space once completed in late 2020, Multi-Housing News has reported.