COVID-19 outbreak on Norfolk farm worsens as 120 workers test positive

Seven migrant farm workers are in hospital - three in intensive care - as more than 120 workers at a Norfolk County farm have tested positive for COVID-19.

The outbreak is at Scotlynn Group in Vittoria, a large-scale farming and produce transport operation with six locations in Canada and the United States. The farm, which is about 10 kilometres southwest of Simcoe, employs 207 migrant workers from Mexico.

Norfolk Mayor Kristal Chopp said the county is ready for its first on-farm COVID-19 outbreak.

We have always understood that this was a risk that our community could face and our health unit has been preparing for this possibility," Chopp said in a social media post late Sunday night.

The health unit announced the outbreak at Scotlynn on Friday, saying three workers had been admitted to Norfolk General Hospital with COVID-19 symptoms and one had tested positive.

Another 140 workers at three different residences were tested and ordered into self-isolation.

The scope of the outbreak worsened over the weekend, with the health unit reporting 85 positive cases by Sunday morning before Chopp updated the number to more than 120.

Scotlynn president and CEO Scott Biddle told reporters that the Vittoria operation had been shut down and disinfected.

Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Haldimand-Norfolk's chief medical officer of health, said it's not clear how the outbreak at Scotlynn started. He confirmed that all workers had completed their two-week quarantine upon arrival to Canada.

Once they serve their self-isolation period, the risk of getting COVID-19 from them is likely the same as getting it from any other person in the community," Nesathurai said.

Biddle said the workers had been active in the fields for more than three weeks and living on the farm the whole time, save for occasional trips to the grocery store. The workers shop early in the day, before stores open to the general public, he added.

Acting out of an abundance of caution," Chopp said the health unit has tested employees of a local store.

This action should not be construed as anything other than our health unit undertaking additional testing to provide peace of mind to a limited number of individuals," said the mayor, who did not name the store.

Staff from the Delhi Community Health Centre are evaluating workers who show symptoms of COVID-19, and the health unit is tracing workers' contacts and testing Canadian labourers who have worked at the farm.

The goal of the public health service is to try to contain the number of cases and also identify people who might be exposed, test and isolate them," Nesathurai told reporters. Although this is a challenge, this is a manageable challenge."

The health unit said that the liaison official for the Mexican consulate has been briefed and is available to assist workers. The federal agency that oversees the migrant farm worker program is also up to speed on the outbreak.

With so many workers in self-isolation, Scotlynn's asparagus crop is in jeopardy. The company has put out a call for groups of five workers to harvest the crop, hoping an inflated wage of $25 per hour will attract locals to do the work.

Each group would be isolated in a 10-acre asparagus field, where they would work from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It is mandatory that you provide your own group of five," read a message posted to the company's Twitter page. There will be no interaction with other groups."

Scotlynn is looking for about 30 five-person teams. Those interested can call 1-800-263-9117, ext. 2225.

Chopp encouraged residents to pitch in so the spring crop doesn't wither in the fields.

Scott Biddle has since the start of this pandemic did everything that was asked of him, and more, by our health unit, including quarantining his workers individually in hotels. Unfortunately, even with the best efforts, he is now dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak and his operations have been severely impacted," the mayor said.

So I ask that you please consider stepping up during this time of crisis, get a group of five friends together, enjoy some days under the sun and make a few dollars for your efforts."

The company assured prospective workers that every precaution has been taken to make the workplace safe.

We have executed isolation plans to eliminate the spread of COVID-19 both on our farms and throughout the community," Scotlynn's statement said.

Thank you to everyone that has extended kind words and best wishes to the members of our workforce. The support of our community is greatly appreciated through this difficult situation."

In terms of active cases, Scotlynn is now the epicentre for COVID-19 in Haldimand-Norfolk, a grim distinction formerly held by Anson Place Care Centre in Hagersville.

The health reported 338 lab-confirmed positive cases across the two counties as of Monday, up from 220 on Sunday.

J.P. Antonacci's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows him to report on stories about the regions of Haldimand and Norfolk.