Haldimand-Norfolk dealing with 'group' of COVID-19 cases linked to work, places of worship

Public health officials in Haldimand and Norfolk say they're working to manage a "group" of COVID-19 cases connected to workplaces and places of worship.

One of the employers that's affected is Fernlea Flowers in Delhi. Seven people there have tested positive for the virus and are self-isolating, according to a media release.

"While Fernlea is located in the Health Unit region, a number of the affected individuals live elsewhere," it adds, noting cases of COVID-19 are recorded in the area where the person who has tested positive lives, not works.

Fernlea president Jeff Howe confirmed Monday that seven workers have the virus.

The cases were discovered after the company took part in voluntary screening carried out by the health department.

Staff wearing masks, keeping distance

Howe said Fernlea found two other cases of COVID-19 two weeks ago, but the 15 people identified by contact tracing at the time all tested negative, so the two incidents appear unrelated.

The company set up a task force back in March and has been directing staff to wear masks and maintain physical distancing for months.

"We've added extra bathrooms, extra lunch rooms, extra shifts and [are] isolating all the different groups as much as possible," said Howe.

"We just hope the people that do get sick are going to be OK.We are constantly trying to improve our safety in regards to COVID."

When asked directly about which places of worship had experienced positive cases, a spokesperson for the health unit said that information was not being made public in order to protect people's privacy.

"If someone is a close contact of a positive case, they'll be contacted by public health and given instructions," wrote Matt Terry in an email to CBC.

"We're asking everyone in Haldimand and Norfolk to continue to wash their hands frequently, practise social distancing and wear a face covering when maintaining distance is difficult, or as required by municipal bylaw."

The counties havereported a total of 451 confirmed cases as of Sunday, an increase of five compared to Wednesday.

Of those cases, 395 people have recovered and 32 people have died.

The area entered Stage 3 of the province's reopening plan Friday, meaning social gatherings can now include a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 outside.

Most businesses have also reopenedwith restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.

The health unit is reminding residents to wash their hands often, continue physically distancing and to wearface coverings when distancing isn't possible.