30 workers at Vaughan, Ont., mushroom farm test positive for COVID-19

Theprovince.com
July 8, 2020

Health officials say at least 20 of the 30 employees of a mushroom farm north of Toronto who tested positive for COVID-19 are temporary foreign workers.

York Region Public Health says all 57 workers at the Ravine Mushroom Farm in Vaughan, Ont., have now been tested for the novel coronavirus.

A spokesman for the agency says the workers who tested positive are currently lodged in employee housing where physical distancing is being enforced.

Patrick Casey says mobile units are now testing workers at more than a dozen farms around York Region.

He says the region is also following up with people who were in close contact the positive cases, and is continuing workplace inspections for safety measures.

The region says Ravine Mushroom Farm continues to operate.

“No services or products are offered to customers on-site, so the risk of exposure to public is low,” Casey said in a statement.

“York Region continues to monitor the situation in close partnership with the agricultural sector and hospital partners.”

Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said his city is on the right track in fighting COVID-19, but residents need to stay focused on following distancing rules.

“Our battle with COVID-19 is not over,” said Bevilacqua. “We must continue to employ every tool in our arsenal to protect people and save lives.”