An employee of a Manitoba poultry plant dies after being tested positive for COVID-19

The man died on October 11.

“We were shocked and saddened to see this sudden event,” Fallu said.

“We have the opportunity to discuss this tragic event with his relatives and express them, on behalf of the Excelder team, with our deepest regrets and heartfelt condolences.”

She said the worker’s infection was transmitted outside the plant.

It is unclear whether COVID-19 caused human death. The company said it could not share more details about the case without respecting the worker’s privacy.

So far, the company and the provincial health inspectors said there was no evidence that any of the workers at the plant had fallen ill while on the job.

Dr Brent Rousin, Manitoba’s chief public health officer, said Thursday that public health officials did not believe the transmission was taking place inside the facility, based on a review of contact tracing and safety measures at the plant.

“Some community acquisition, including [through] Carpooling is something that is being considered, “said Rousin.

A union spokesman for the plant workers said they learned of the man’s death over the Thanksgiving weekend.

“At the time, we did not know the specifics, and we do not yet know the specifics of what this person is missing,” said Bee Brusky, secretary-treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers. Local 832.

33 certified cases

A total of 33 people connected to the plant tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday morning, Braske said in an interview with CBC Manitoba with guest host Sam Samson. Radio Noon.

Braske said the union was unaware of the group of cases in any of the divisions.

“We can’t point to a section and say‘ this is the problem area ’.

The site – a Granny’s poultry plant, before Excelder merged with Granny earlier this year – is the largest poultry plant in Manitoba, according to the union, and has about 650 employees. As of Wednesday evening, 89 people connected to the plant had isolated themselves, and Braske said on Thursday that she believed the number was still accurate.

She said the union was in communication with the employer several times a day. The company has taken precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the separation of employees, the creation of barriers between individuals, the provision of personal protective equipment and start-up times.

Based on the union’s experience with the spread of the Maple Leaf pork processing facility in Brandon, Bruskey said he does not think the plant will shut down production unless there is an order from public health officials. Earlier this year.

However, she said the company has so far resolved all the issues raised by the union.

Bruskey said Manitoba officials would check again.