Covid-19 at Conestoga Meats

Despite assurances from the Waterloo Region Health Unit and management at Conestoga Meats that the COVID-19 outbreak that began in December is under control, the number of workers testing positive continues to steadily rise, hitting 99 according to Sunday's report.

And on Monday it jumped to 132. The health unit said 96 have been resolved.

The plant continues to operate. It is the second-largest pork-packing plant in Ontario and is owned by the farmers who supply its hogs.

The company said it has invested in many COVID-19-related safety measures in the last 10 months.

They include:

• Daily health screening.
• Staggered breaks and start times.
• Physical barriers.
• Providing hotel accommodation for employees who cannot self-isolate at home.

The company said it has also provided health care information in eight different languages to accommodate its diverse staff.

For weeks the health unit declined to name Conestoga Meats. The company apparently fears it might lose export markets.