A third poultry plant in the Lower Mainland has announced that a worker has tested positive for COVID-19.
Located in the Fraser Health Authority, Chilliwack's Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry stated in a Facebook post that one of its employees tested positive for the virus on April 28 in the afternoon. It adds that the individual has been at home in isolation since Friday, "following an the onset of mild symptoms."
Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry notes that it is working with the Fraser Health Authority and government inspectors to ensure it follows all necessary protocols.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has advised that there is no evidence to suggest that food is a likely source of transmission, and Dr. Bonnie Henry has underscored this sentiment. While she notes that COVID-19 can not be transmitted by meat or meat packaging, she adds that people should follow the regular precautions when handling poultry.
"We continue to urge every staff member presenting any symptoms to immediately report to human resources, and take 2 weeks off to stay home. Should you feel any symptoms associated with the Coronavirus, we ask you to isolate, rest, and recover," the company remarked in a .
"We remain dedicated to communicating clearly with you as this situation unfolds. We will make information available to you as it becomes available to us."
The Fraser Health Authority tells 麻豆传媒映画 in a phone call that it does not have any additional information as there is only a single case of COVID-19 at the plant.
The provincial government says COVID-19 outbreaks at two Vancouver-area poultry processing plants are responsible for many of the new cases reported in British Columbia on April 28.
Health officials closed the United Poultry Co. Ltd. plant in east 麻豆传媒映画and Coquitlam's Superior Poultry Processors Ltd. after dozens of workers tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says most of the 55 new positive tests reported Tuesday are connected to the Coquitlam facility.
On Tuesday, a total of 80 COVID-19 cases had been linked to the two poultry facilities, with 46 at Superior Poultry and 34 at United Poultry.
The Fraser Valley farm notes that its plant will be closed on April 29 but that its office and farm store will remain open to the public.
- With files from the Canadian Press.
