3 more cases at Methanex

By Medicine Hat News on September 19, 2020.

Three more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the Methanex plant in Medicine Hat, the company announced late Thursday night.

That corresponds to a general increase in active cases reported in updated figures that day from Alberta Health Services, and bring the total number of cases at the site to five.

Company officials say they involve individuals from the same work group. They released the information after cases were confirmed to them by Alberta Health Services.

“The COVID-19 positive workers and the identified close contacts are self-isolating as per AHS requirements,” read a statement.

It is unclear whether the situation will be considered an “outbreak” as defined by health officials in Alberta.

Five cases is the threshold for designation when it is centred at general, public of private facility, but only then when spread is believed to be within the facility.

An outbreak is declared at medical, health or seniors care facilities when case numbers reach two.

The plant has continued to operate throughout the pandemic and officials say their response and safety protocols meet or exceed provincial guidelines.

A large maintenance project has brought hundreds of workers to the site in northwest Medicine Hat over the last month.

Alberta was up to 1,424 active cases as of Friday afternoon, with 38 in the South Zone. Edmonton tops the province with 711 active, while Calgary is at 450.

The Central Zone has the fewest cases with 24, while the North sits at 197.

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