A Canada Post worker in Chilliwack has tested positive for COVID-19.
Canada Post confirmed with The Progress last week that they were informed of the positive test result from a driver under contract with them at their Chilliwack depot.
They said the driver’s last day of work was Friday, June 19, and they were feeling well and showing no symptoms.
Several people contacted The Progress with concerns about the case and public health safety.
“As a precautionary measure and to ensure the continued safety of all employees, a deep-cleaning and sanitization was done yesterday of the entire first floor of the depot and post office,” a media relations officer from Canada Post said on June 25.
“We have been in contact with Public Health and continue to follow their recommendations very closely. We continue to keep our employees informed, while stressing the importance of following physical distancing protocols within the facility and conducting proper hand hygiene.”
READ MORE: Pandemic means changes for door-to-door newspaper delivery
They added that they are working with public health authorities and their unions regarding COVID-19 safety. They also added that the public’s mail is safe to touch.
“The World Health Organization and Public Health Agency of Canada have assured us it is safe to handle mail, as there is a low risk of spread from products or packaging,” they added.
Asked about the positive test at the Canada Post office downtown, a spokesperson for Fraser Health said they will not identify specific location of confirmed cases unless public health providers cannot be certain they have reached everyone who needs to be contacted and who there fore might be a risk to the public.
“Every time there is a positive test in B.C., public health connects with anyone who may have come into contact with the case so they are aware and can be monitored for symptoms,” according to public affairs consultant Dixon Tam.
The concern is over privacy, and Fraser Health wants anyone with symptoms to contact the agency and feel safe doing so.
“This is why privacy is important to everyone,” Tam said. “It allows public health providers to do the work they need to do to keep everybody safe.
“When it comes to the transmission of COVID-19, there is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted through paper-based products.”
Fraser Health is now offering COVID-19 swab tests to the public, without a doctor’s referral. There is a community collection centre for Chilliwack and Hope residents at the Chilliwack Public Health Unit. It’s open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 604-702-4928.
All results are available within 48 hours.
Fraser Health also has several tools on their website with information about COVID-19, including a self-assessment tool and a list of all collection centres in the region.
READ MORE: Newspapers are safe to touch, World Health Organization confirms
– with files from Paul Henderson
@CHWKcommunity
jpeters@theprogress.com
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