30 workers test positive for COVID-19 at mushroom farm in Vaughan

Thirty workers have tested positive for COVID-19 at a mushroom farm in Vaughan, according to York Region Public Health.

In a public notice posted to York Region's website on Monday, the agency said it is investigating a "workplace cluster" of COVID-19 cases at Ravine Mushroom Farm, located at 4101 King Vaughan Road, west of Highway 400.

York Region Public Health said it has conducted risk assessments on the workers and determined that the risk of the virus being transmitted to members of the public is low.

Twenty-four of the 30 workers with the virus are said to be residents of York Region. None of the infections have resulted in deaths.

Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region's medical officer of health, said in a taped message on the region's website on Monday that the agency is monitoring the situation closely. Kurji did not say where  the other six workers are from.

"We have one large outbreak at a farm and a few cases each at several farms in York Region. These have been proactively identified with the help of our hospital partners, in particular Southlake Hospital," Kurji said.

"Our public health inspectors have been into these farms in order to give infection prevention and control advice to the farmers, as well as to ensure the living conditions are adequate."

The public health agency said it is following up with the close contacts of those infected.

It said it has inspected the farm, reviewed and strengthened infection prevention and control measures, implemented physical distancing of workers and reminded the workers at the farm not to report to work when sick.

York Region Public Health said it was notified of the first case at the farm on June 27.

According to its interactive dashboard on COVID-19, York Region has a cumulative total of 3,083 cases, 2,472 of which are resolved. It has 364 active cases and has had 247 deaths.