A Tesco superstore in Newcastle has been hit with an outbreak of Covid-19.
ChronicleLive understands dozens of staff employed at the Kingston Park Tesco Extra store are currently self-isolating at home.
The supermarket giant would not confirm the exact number of staff currently off sick, but said that a "number of colleagues" are unable to work due to testing positive for Covid-19.
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Many others are also absent after being told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace app due to being close contacts to the infected employees.
Tesco denied the number of absentees had reached the 100 mark and would not confirm whether employees from other stores were being drafted in to help with the staffing crisis.
The supermarket chain said "extensive measures" are in place across all their stores, including social distancing signs and regular cleaning.
Protective screens around checkouts, face coverings and sanitising stations are also in position to keep both staff and customers safe, Tesco added.
The 24-hour Brunton Lane store is open as normal, despite the outbreak of Covid cases.
It comes after Newcastle was revealed to be England's new Covid capital following a 70% hike in cases over the past week.
According to Newcastle City Council's Covid dashboard, the city currently has an infection rate of 613 per 100,000 - more than treble the national average.
A Tesco spokesman said: "A number of colleagues at our Kingston Park Extra store have tested positive for Covid-19. Their close contacts have been informed.
"The safety of our colleagues, customers and suppliers remains our number one priority and we are working with local public health authorities, following all Government guidance and taking the relevant precautions.
"We have extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe, including protective screens at every checkout, social distancing signage and regular cleaning."
