Sofina Foods takes action after B.C. worker tests positive for COVID-19

April 30, 2020, Markham, Ont. – Sofina Foods Inc. has confirmed that an employee who works at a facility in Port Coquitlam, B.C., tested positive for COVID-19, and that the company immediately deployed its response protocol to mitigate any risks to other employees.

“The employee lives with relatives who work at a local plant where, recently, several employees tested positive for the virus, including one of the employee’s relatives.” said Kuljeet Chahal, plant manager, Port Coquitlam at Sofina Foods Inc. “We have been preparing for this type of incident and quickly sprang into action to assess risks and identify any action needed in addition to the proactive measures we already have in place.”

Sofina Foods indicated that any employee who may have been in close contact with the diagnosed employee was asked to self-isolate at home and monitor their health as a cautionary step. The plant is fully operational.

In addition to its usual daily sanitation of production areas, the plant team had augmented its disinfection protocols with ongoing disinfection of welfare areas and was an early adopter of physical distancing measures. Plexiglas partitions were also added a few weeks ago in lunchrooms.

“Combined with the fact that the employee wore protective personal equipment at all times, we are confident that we had the right measures in place to help mitigate risks to other employees,” said Chahal.

Sofina Foods’ plant in Port Coquitlam manufactures fresh chicken products and employs more than 400 people. The company operates 16 manufacturing facilities, three hatcheries, three distribution centres and employs close to 5,000 people.