Open Letter From Alford's Pharmacy CEO: Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19, Store Says Low Risk To Public

Alford's Pharmacy and Drive-Thru CEO Kasey Alford has released a letter to the public to the Edmonson Voice regarding one of their employees that has tested positive for COVID-19. In the letter, Alford says the employee is neither a resident of Edmonson County, nor had any contact with any patient of the pharmacy.

The entire letter is published below:

To our customers, community, and friends,

​Some of you may be aware of the news that came to Alford’s Pharmacy & Drive-Thru on Wednesday.  In our constant efforts to be completely transparent and honest with our patients, public of our county, and area we deeply love, I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out in the best manner I knew how.  During this time of daily changes and updates concerning the COVID – 19 coronavirus, we unfortunately learned on Wednesday one of our team members has tested positive for COVID – 19.  We are blessed to employ around 20 individuals, several of which do not reside in Edmonson County.  This individual is one that does not live in Edmonson County and I want to stress did not have direct contact with any patient of the pharmacy.  There still has not been any positive cases for Edmonson County citizens.  Unfortunately, they just happened to cross paths with someone from another county who afterward tested positive.  Our employee immediately and responsibly quarantined themselves in order to minimize any interactions with anyone.
 
I want to stress this extremely important point:  we have always worked extremely hard to put the interests of our patients first, and our patients have entrusted us with that duty for over 10 years.  Recently, we were one of the very first pharmacies to close our lobby and restrict access to the pharmacy onsite by means of our drive–thru only.  Our employees worked diligently to transition to this, as well as mail medications and deliver them free of charge, all in an effort to better serve you.  We also chose to pay much higher costs for N95 masks and sanitizing supplies, again, in order to make sure our staff had the tools necessary to do their tasks in ways that would be safest for them and our patients.  We even helped supply local first responders with N95 masks free of charge when they couldn’t obtain any, because that is what you do in small towns when people are in need.
 
Alford’s Pharmacy & Drive–Thru has been working extended hours on the front lines as healthcare professionals who are dedicated to our patients and we take that responsibility very seriously.  We are working hard to ensure our beloved patients are able to receive their much needed medications, and this will most certainly continue.  I want to stress that the risk to the public is at a minimum, and in the words of a neighboring health department, we are doing MORE than what is even recommended by the CDC.  Again, because of the measures we put in place before, the risk to our patients and staff is extremely low compared to many other places the public is allowed to go at this time. 
 
We do not feel there is any need for you to worry or be concerned about continuing to use us as your hometown pharmacy.  Alford’s Pharmacy & Drive–Thru will continue to serve our friends and family with honesty, integrity, and transparency, no matter what may come before us.  You deserve nothing less and you will continue to receive the same superior level of service you always have.  Due to the sensitive nature of the topic and respecting the privacy of our team member, we are not able to disclose their name or title, but feel free to call us with any other concerns or questions you may have.  I am sure our employee would appreciate your prayers during this very sensitive time.
 
We want to continue to stress the best methods that all of us can do to limit the spread of COVID – 19.  Please do not leave your homes unless you absolutely need to, practice good hygiene by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, and please practice social distancing as much as possible.  This virus may or may not affect you as bad as others, but it very well could someone you care deeply about.  For their sake, let’s do all we can. 
 
Thank you for your past and continued support of your only locally owned and operated pharmacy.  You are much more of a blessing than we could ever say in words.
 
May God continue to bless,
Kasey Alford, Pharm.D.