Ten cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at Barrie’s Canada Post distribution centre on Morrow Road, dating back to last week.
The positive cases at the facility, which is located near Essa Road and Highway 400, have been since Dec. 1.
“In each case, we work with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, follow their direction and advice, support their contact-tracing efforts and ensure the appropriate sanitization work has been conducted within the facility,” Canada Post media relations director Phil Legault wrote in an email to BarrieToday.
“We also defer to them on the source of any positive cases as they are the experts in this field," Legault added.
Given the safety and sanitization protocols Canada Post has in place, Legault says they have deemed the cases to be low risk of transmission in the workplace.
“Our employees, including those at our Barrie facility located at 73 Morrow Rd., follow physical-distancing protocols, wear mandatory face coverings and follow other safety measures. We understand, however, that this is a concerning time for employees, especially when we communicate that a work colleague has tested positive,” Legault said.
Public health officials have been in communication with Canada Post, Legault said, to understand is being done in the facility and have reviewed their safety and sanitization protocols.
“As for mail and parcel processing, we are continuing to safely operate while following all safety protocols," Legault added. "Contingency plans are in place to keep pace as best as possible.”
On a media call Tuesday afternoon, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Charles Gardner said he was not able to confirm Canada Post's local cases.
“At this point in time, I don’t have confirmation of a facility having gone public with such information, therefore would decline to comment about that,” the doctor said.
The local health unit typically releases information once the organization in question goes public first or if there is a high risk for transmission in the public.
