Two Illinois Walmart employees die days apart from COVID-19
EVERGREEN PARK Illinois — Two employees at a Walmart in Evergreen park, Illinois died just days apart from the coronavirus. Walmart said in a statement it was heartbroken and mourning with the victim's families.
Family members identified one of the victims as 48-year-old Phillip Thomas. A second employee was identified as 51-year-old Wando Evans.
Both men had worked at the Walmart for several years. Walmart says both employees hadn't been at the store in more than a week.
The company says it took actions to reinforce cleaning and sanitizing measures. A spokesman says additional steps will be taken as needed.
"I felt like they was just putting my brother as a number and he's not a number he has a name... his name is Phillip Thomas. And he was a good guy," said Angela McMiller, Phillip Thomas' Sister. "I'm hoping that of course that no one else dies and no one else is sick."
"I'm devastated because I know I won't get a chance to say goodbye to him," said Daryl Bell, Friend of Wando Evans.
An attorney for Wando Evans' family accused Walmart of not following protocol and did not let other workers know he was sick.
