Coronavirus: 75% of supermarket workers with Covid-19 have no symptoms, study warns

With England now in its second Covid-19 lockdown, supermarkets are some of the few shops able to stay open.

Now, a new study has warned that supermarket workers are up to five times more likely to test positive for Covid-19.

What’s more, researchers found that up to 75% of those workers testing positive showed no symptoms.

In the study, the team studied 104 employees at a supermarket in Boston.

Each employee completed a questionnaire on their lifestyle, medical history and employment history, before being tested for coronavirus.

A new study has warned that supermarket workers are up to five times more likely to test positive for Covid-19 (Getty Images)

The results found that one in five workers tested positive for coronavirus, 76% of who had no symptoms.

Worryingly, of those testing positive, 91% had a customer-facing role.

In the study, published in the BMJ, the researchers said: “Once essential workers are infected with SARS-CoV-2, they may become a significant transmission source for the community they serve."

The surveys also showed that several supermarket workers reported mental health issues as a result of the pandemic.

Coronavirus by Numbers - Cases and deaths in the UK as of November 5

Twenty-four workers reported at least mild anxiety, while 8 were deemed to be mildly depressed.

The researchers said: “Our significant mental health finding calls for action in providing comprehensive employee assistance services to help essential workers cope with the psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Based on the findings, the researchers suggest that measures should be put in place to make supermarkets safer for both workers and customers.