By Sheldon Spackman

case numbers continue to increase

Red Deer Olymel plant to stay open despite COVID outbreak

Feb 11, 2021 | 4:13 PM

A spokesperson for Olymel says there will be no temporary shutdown at its Red Deer facility despite an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Alberta Health confirms that as of Thursday there are 163 active cases linked to the outbreak along with 102 recoveries. Total cases stemming from the outbreak sit at 266. There has also been one death as a result of the outbreak.

Richard Vigneault, corporate communications spokesperson for Olymel, says they’ve sent a letter to the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401 communicating their decision to remain open.

Vigneault says the company has been following all public health recommendations since the start of the pandemic and continues to do so, noting COVID-19 testing conducted on-site last week for its employees. He says any positive cases identified have been required to isolate.

Additional staff has been added to the meat processing facility as a result of those required to isolate, adds Vigneault, but he also points-out lower production rates at this time.

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Alberta Health Services (AHS) says they continue to offer support to Olymel in response to the outbreak, which was first declared in November.

“Our Environmental Public Health Inspectors have visited the site on multiple occasions since the start of the outbreak to review the company’s mitigation measures and safety protocols, and continue to be in daily, ongoing contact with the site,” AHS spokesperson Melissa Ballantyne says in a statement.

“Inspectors, along with Occupational Health and Safety, continue to review preventive measures Olymel has taken to enhance the safety of employees at the facility and to ensure compliance with necessary health orders. Many measures were previously undertaken early on in the pandemic, and the site continues to take proactive steps to enhance their practices and mitigation measures. They remain compliant with public health orders and guidance.”

Ballantyne says AHS will continue to work closely with Olymel in reviewing their practices and identifying any areas for improvement should they arise.

“We’re also supporting the company’s efforts to remind staff to adhere to all facility guidelines and CMOH orders, both at work and at home, to help prevent the spread of illness. Our Medical Officer of Health and Public Health nursing teams have also been engaged in providing guidance and support, including another round of on-site prevalence testing for COVID-19 last week. Staff who were unable to be swabbed on-site continue to be able to access swabbing at the COVID-19 assessment centre in Red Deer by appointment.”

Ballantyne notes that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for the Olymel plant, as its regulator.

“AHS has provided onsite assistance and support to CFIA and Olymel regarding social distancing, disinfection and physical separation,” explains Ballantyne. “AHS continues to work with the CFIA, Occupational Health & Safety (Government of Alberta), and Alberta Health, to ensure that outbreaks and incidents of COVID-19 illness in meat packing facilities are being addressed, and workers, families and communities, protected.”

rdnewsNOW has reached out to UFCW Local 401 for comment but have not received a response.