Local media reported that Algoma Steel in Sault Ste Marie in Canada has confirmed that three contract workers who were on site the last week of December have tested positive for COVID-19. Algoma Steel's spokesperson Ms Brenda Stenta informed media that “I am able to confirm that we have received notice of three contract workers who were on site the last week of December, who have since tested positive for COVID-19. All of the necessary cleaning and disinfection has occurred and the workers are self-isolating and Algoma Steel has stated all necessary sanitation has occurred. Since the outset of the pandemic, we have implemented extensive COVID safety protocols in accordance with Algoma Public Health directives and we audit daily to ensure compliance. Algoma Public Health's contact tracing has not identified anyone at the steel plant who had close contact on the job.”United Steel Workers Local 2251 President Mr Mike Da Prat said “We’ve been concerned about the COVID finding its way into Algoma for a year now. I was assured that all the proper protocols were observed. They were taken off property and I informed our union health and safety committee to make sure that they went and checked the area to ensure all the protocols were observed. The contractors who tested positive for COVID-19 were not from outside Sault Ste Marie. Right now, I think our greatest fear and our greatest threat is from outside Sault Ste Marie and that’s having contractors brought in. Whether it’s specialized work or not, we think it should be deferred until such time as either the COVID is over, or everyone has been inoculated.”
Local media reported that Algoma Steel in Sault Ste Marie in Canada has confirmed that three contract workers who were on site the last week of December have tested positive for COVID-19. Algoma Steel's spokesperson Ms Brenda Stenta informed media that “I am able to confirm that we have received notice of three contract workers who were on site the last week of December, who have since tested positive for COVID-19. All of the necessary cleaning and disinfection has occurred and the workers are self-isolating and Algoma Steel has stated all necessary sanitation has occurred. Since the outset of the pandemic, we have implemented extensive COVID safety protocols in accordance with Algoma Public Health directives and we audit daily to ensure compliance. Algoma Public Health's contact tracing has not identified anyone at the steel plant who had close contact on the job.”United Steel Workers Local 2251 President Mr Mike Da Prat said “We’ve been concerned about the COVID finding its way into Algoma for a year now. I was assured that all the proper protocols were observed. They were taken off property and I informed our union health and safety committee to make sure that they went and checked the area to ensure all the protocols were observed. The contractors who tested positive for COVID-19 were not from outside Sault Ste Marie. Right now, I think our greatest fear and our greatest threat is from outside Sault Ste Marie and that’s having contractors brought in. Whether it’s specialized work or not, we think it should be deferred until such time as either the COVID is over, or everyone has been inoculated.”
