News
COVID-19 claims life of migrant worker
June 21, 2020, Simcoe, ON – The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit has been notified that a migrant worker who had been in intensive care with COVID-19 has died.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, a member of the Catholic clergy, and Health Unit staff visited workers at the farm last night to personally deliver the news.
“I’m extremely saddened at this loss of life,” says Kristal Chopp, chair of the Board of Health. “It’s an absolute tragedy that someone who comes to Canada to work in the agricultural industry and support his family back home loses his life so far from his loved ones. My sincerest condolences go out to the individual’s family during this difficult time.”
At the current time, there are 199 positive cases among migrant farm workers and 18 cases among people associated with the farm.
The outbreak continues to be largely contained to the farm, and any close contacts of farm workers are in self-isolation. The Health Unit team continues to manage the situation in an effort to bring the outbreak to a conclusion.
Updates from the Health Unit are available at hnhu.org/covid-19.