28 workers at Vancouver chicken processing plant test positive for coronavirus

Public health officials have identified a COVID-19 outbreak at an East Vancouver chicken processing facility.

Twenty-eight employees at United Poultry, located at 534 E. Cordova St., have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).

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After an employee tested positive for the virus on Sunday, VCH officials tested 71 staff members on Monday, 27 of whom tested positive. Officials closed the plant that day.

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Employees have been told to self-isolate.

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The health authority says chicken products from the plant are not being recalled as there is no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission for the virus.

“At this time, there have been no reported cases of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19,” reads a VCH statement.