COVID-19 cases confirmed at Conestoga Meats
Pork processor will remain operational and says it has implemented additional employee protection
BRESLAU — Workers at local pork processor Conestoga Meats have tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement to The Record Wednesday night, president Arnold Drung confirmed the company was informed of the positive results this week, but he did not say how many people are infected or how many others may have been exposed to the virus.
The plant remains open, Drung said.
“Conestoga is working with Waterloo Region Public Health with respect to the situation and following all recommended protocols, including having those who have been in contact with positive cases self-isolate for 14 days,” he said.
The company has implemented additional measures to “enhance protection” of employees, he stated, including: daily temperature and symptom screenings with a nurse; additional personal protective equipment; increased sanitation inside cafeterias, locker rooms and washrooms; staggered break and shift times; and repurposing meeting rooms and adding heated tents for additional break space.
“This is in addition to the complete sanitation of the production areas that takes place on a daily basis as part of the company’s regular operational processes,” Drung said.
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is investigating after receiving two complaints related to COVID-19 at Conestoga Meats on Wednesday, including social distancing procedures. A ministry inspector has been assigned and the investigation is ongoing.
This follows an earlier complaint the ministry received on March 24 about a lack of personal protective equipment. A ministry inspector conducted an investigation and no orders were issued.
Conestoga Meats is the secondlargest pork processor in the province and employs about 1,000 people. About 37,000 pigs are processed there every week.
On its website, the CFIA says it does not anticipate “any food product recalls or withdrawals from the market due to COVID-19 contamination. Currently, there have been no reported cases of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19.”