Work on Garron hospital proceeds despite 15 positive COVID tests

EllisDon has confirmed that 15 workers have tested positive for COVID-19 at its Michael Garron Hospital jobsite in Toronto in the past few weeks.  

Company spokesperson Dustin Luchka said work is proceeding at the project with no stoppage planned. The firm has been in touch with the Ministry of Labour (MOL) and Toronto Public Health and they are satisfied with the safety measures EllisDon has in place, he said.  

“As an essential service, there is no intention of halting operations unless instructed otherwise by health authorities,” stated Luchka via email. “We will continue to look to our health authorities for guidance.”  

Asked for comment, an MOL spokesperson said the ministry is looking into the matter and would be issuing a comment.  

The affected workers are required to self-isolate for 10 days and be cleared by public health or a medical professional before returning to the jobsite, said EllisDon. 

Contact tracing has been undertaken and those who have been deemed to be close contacts of workers who have tested positive have been notified and are required to get tested, contact public health, and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of test results, Luchka said. Another in a series of full site cleanings was done last night by a specialized third–party company.  

EllisDon “continues to implement and enforce the strictest regiment of precautionary measures, guided by Public Health and other leading health authorities,” said Luchka. 

Protocols include pre-site admittance health screening including thermal temperature check; physical distancing; enhanced hygiene measures; restrictions on the number of workers in hoists; limiting the number of individuals in gatherings; staggering breaks and schedules; and mandatory wearing of a mask onsite at all times. 

EllisDon is in frequent communication with subtrades reinforcing mandatory compliance with all COVID–related safety measures and precautions, the statement indicated, and there is increased cleaning, educational signs, more sanitizing stations and a third-party specialty cleaner.