YMCA employee at a Fort Mill location tests positive for coronavirus, officials say
An employee at a branch of the Upper Palmetto YMCA has tested positive for coronavirus, company officials said.
The employee is a staff worker at the Fort Mill at the Complex branch on S.C. 160, said Kirk Eich, CEO of Upper Palmetto YMCA.
The YMCA has 15 branches and a summer youth camp in York, Chester and Lancaster counties, according to its website. It employs more than 900 people and has more than 44,000 members, Eich said.
Branches reopened in the past weeks after S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster ordered the close-contact businesses to close at the end of March to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“No other employees or members have tested positive,” Eich said.
The employee was feeling sick on May 28, and stayed home from work after that, Eich said. The staff member was tested Monday and results came back positive, Eich said.
The staffer did not have contact with the members, Eich said. Staffers who were believed to have close contact with the person were notified, Eich said.
YMCA officials posted information about the positive case on the organization’s social media and remain committed to making sure that all staff and members receive current information as the coronavirus pandemic continues, Eich said.
YMCA officials also notified the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, Eich said.
The YMCA closed the facility Monday after the positive test was determined, Eich said. The center was deep cleaned by a private company and reopened Wednesday.
“I want to keep our staff and members safe,” Eich said.
Members have to sign a waiver to use the YMCA facilities since McMaster allowed gyms to reopen at the end of May, Eich said.
Masks are not required for staff or members, he said.
The YMCA has posted its coronavirus social distancing and other use rules on its website.
As of Wednesday, York County has had 421 cases since the pandemic started, according to DHEC.
Several businesses in the area have reported positive cases among its employees. Six employees at Maclean Power Systems in York tested positive in May. In Fort Mill, employees at a Publix grocery story and the Shutterfly facility tested positive for the virus. Also, an employee at the Lowe’s Home Improvement in York tested positive in April.
This story was originally published June 3, 2020 at 2:21 PM.
