Kansas store linked to coronavirus cases in customers, health department says

A variety retail store in a western Kansas town has been linked to multiple coronavirus cases, and now public health officials are warning shoppers that they may have been exposed to the contagious virus.

Finney County Health Department officials said Monday in a news release that customers may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus at Tienda Variedades Candy at 107 N. Jennie Barker Rd. in Garden City. Multiple people who shopped at the store have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports 16 people in Finney County have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The local health department said that customers who shopped at the store between March 16 and March 30 may have been exposed. The store closed on March 30. The store will be cleaned and sanitized under KDHE and Centers for Disease Control Prevention guidelines before it reopens.

People who experience symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell, are advised to stay at home and call the Finney County Coronavirus Hotline at 620-272-3600.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported the type of store that is thought to be a source of the virus spread.

This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 6:35 PM.