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20 cases of COVID-19 found at St Catharines greenhouse

Company asked its employees to get tested after worker showed symptoms two weeks ago
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Pioneer Flower Farms in St Catharines said their workers are in self-isolation after the discovery. Photo: Pioneer Flower Farms

Pioneer Flower Farms is battling an outbreak of COVID-19 after 20 workers have tested positive for the virus over the weekend.

A statement issued by the company last night said that a worker had exuded symptoms two weeks ago, prompting him to go into self-isolation.

Later that week, two others started exuding symptoms that prompted testing which confirmed COVID-19.

The company said they asked all its over 80 employees to be tested on Friday with the test results coming back on Sunday night thqt revealed 18 additional cases.

The workers are now in self-isolation and the farm says they are following all recommendations from the Ministry of Health.

“Prior to testing we assured our employees that we would pay their work weeks for them to self isolate if they came back positive, and we will keep our word to pay these individuals as they enter into their isolation for the next two weeks,” said a Facebook post from the company.

On Monday morning Niagara Region confirmed the cases and said that the greenhouse had increased its cleaning- and disinfection routines.

“While this workplace poses no particular risk to the broader community, it is a reminder that although Niagara has had success in reducing COVID-19, persons are still becoming ill with the infection,” said Mustafa Hirji, Acting Medical Officer of Health. 

“As businesses reopen and the potential for COVID-19 to spread increases, it is more important than ever that we are all doing what we can to keep ourselves and those around us healthy.”

More information to come.