65 Jamaican farm workers placed in Covid-19 isolation in Canada

Last week 14 positive cases have been confirmed by the company based in Tecumseh, after some workers started to display symptoms of the coronavirus.

In a statement to the Canadian media, the company reported that 65 persons, without identifying their nationality, have been placed in a hotel to mitigate the spread of the highly infectious respiratory virus.

However, a source who spoke to Old Harbour News on condition that their identity isn’t revealed, disclosed that all the individuals are from Jamaica. They all arrived from the Caribbean island within the last three weeks, the majority being unvaccinated.

But they all would have tested negative prior to gaining entry into Canada, following multiple layers of rigorous testing, said the source.

Our source further stated that since the workers arrived from Jamaica, the company facilitated a vaccination exercise but not many persons took up the offer to take the jab which isn’t mandatory at the moment. Fully vaccinated persons are among those in isolation.

“One guy is hospitalised. He has underlining health issues; I think he has diabetes, so he is currently at the hospital now,” the source revealed.

Since the outbreak occurred last week, there is real fear among the group, with some already opting out of their contract, while others are seriously contemplating to follow suit.

“Two guys are coming down next week Friday. They want to go down (return to Jamaica) right now… because they are saying that they’re scared,” said our source.

Our source said in an unusual move the company informed the isolated group that “for this week you have to call your liaison officer to file for this week’s pay,” something they never had to do before, as salaries were prepared automatically. 

An early treatment protocol is yet to be established for the isolated group, said our source, who noted visits are prohibited except from health officials monitoring them.

“All the workers have been told to stay in and rest. That’s all. If the workers need any vitamins to boost their immune system from now they would have to get the health persons like one of the nurses to buy that and bring it come,” said the source.

In a statement via CBC News, the company said: "Bonduelle is working in close collaboration with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit to ensure the safety of our workers and the surrounding community. As such, some workers are currently under quarantine according to COVID-19 protocols.

"Bonduelle is continuing to apply strict pandemic safety measures at the facility, including symptom and temperature screening, mandatory mask-wearing, physical distancing, and thorough sanitation procedures."