By Troy Gillard and Josh Hall

Olymel to remain vigilant even with no active COVID cases

Mar 23, 2021 | 4:07 PM

RED DEER, Alta. – The COVID-19 outbreak at the Olymel pork processing facility in Red Deer has been brought under control.

After peaking at 212 on Feb. 19, Alberta Health confirmed over the weekend that there are no active cases linked to the outbreak at this time.

“That combined with the fact our overall case numbers in the city are declining is welcome news for the community,” says Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer.

“This situation is a very welcome situation, however we need to remain vigilant,” noted Richard Vigneault, Olymel spokesperson.

“We have appreciated the collaboration with AHS and OHS and thank our employees for their cooperation and compliance with all COVID-19 measures in place at the plant that remain in force and that we will continue to monitor and adjust in response to the pandemic, the public health orders and guidelines.”

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The total number of cases linked to the outbreak has held steady for the last several days at 518. Outbreaks are declared over when four weeks have passed since the last case was identified.

Alberta Health says three people have died as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak at Olymel.

On February 15, Olymel announced a temporary shutdown of the facility in response to the outbreak. A gradual reopening of the plant began March 4.

UFCW Local 401, the union representing workers at the facility, says it is happy the pressure they put on Olymel to close the plant has resulted in an effective containment of the outbreak.

“Frankly, without the work in which our union engaged, this outcome would not have been achieved as neither the employer nor public health officials were taking the necessary steps to keep Olymel workers safe,” the union says in a statement.

“We are also proud of the stand that our Olymel union members took in asserting the right to a safe workplace. As their union, UFCW Local 401 advised our members of their options in the case of this outbreak, and many of those workers courageously chose to stay home in order to keep themselves and their families safe. Through our combined efforts, we were able to stop the deadly trajectory of this virus at the Olymel Red Deer Plant and avert further preventable loss of life.”

More than 1,800 people are employed at Olymel’s plant in Red Deer.