10 employees at Maple Leaf plant in Brandon test positive for COVID-19
Source: CBC News
August 7 2020 - Plant to continue operating; CEO says cases are linked to 'community gatherings and interactions'
Maple Leaf Foods says 10 workers at its pork processing plant in Brandon, Man., have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The company updated the total number of cases in a statement issued Friday afternoon, but said there is no evidence of spread within the plant.
"All cases have been investigated and [determined] to be acquired in the community," the statement from Maple Leaf president and CEO Michael McCain said.
Earlier in the day, the union that represents plant workers said eight workers had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. It said it was informed of the additional two cases on Friday afternoon.
"[Workers are] scared. They're scared to go to work," said Jeff Traeger, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832.
None of them work on the plant's production line, Traeger said.
"When the three were announced yesterday, there was a very high absenteeism rate from the plant," Traeger said on CBC Manitoba's Information Radio. Many workers said they were going to get tested.
"They don't feel safe," he said. "The cases have now doubled since yesterday, so I suspect that fear will be worse."