UPDATED: Confirmed COVID-19 outbreak at Procter & Gamble in Belleville

By James Tubb

BELLEVILLE – Hastings Prince Edward Public Health has confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak at the Procter and Gamble factory in Belleville.

There are now 17 COVID-19 cases associated with the P&G site in Belleville’s industrial park.

The chief public health officer, Dr. Piotr Oglaza, says there is an explanation for the rise in cases associated with the facility.

“These more cases don’t necessarily mean that the outbreak is not contained, because these cases are coming from individuals who are already self isolating,” Dr. Oglaza says. 

Health officials say that nine individuals originally tested positive for the virus between November 15 and November 25. Public health says the company provided them with contact information for the individuals who were on site at P&G Belleville between those days.

QNet News has learned that these original nine cases are all third party contractors of Adecco. As a result, P&G has asked all third party employees last Thursday to self isolate.

Adecco is a nationwide employment agency that has offices in both Belleville and Trenton.

Public health says that several people identified as high-risk contacts and have been instructed by HPEPH to self-isolate immediately and to get tested. They are required to remain in quarantine for 14 days after their exposure, regardless of test results.

The HPEPH says they do not typically disclose the location of a workplace outbreak in order to protect individuals’ privacy, but that information such as this is disclosed when needed to meet public health objectives such as contact tracing.

Dr. Oglaza says that any of the products manufactured at the P&G Belleville site, feminine hygiene and incontinence products, pose no risk of transmission to the public and can be safely used

In the media release on Monday, Dr. Oglaza cites the outbreak as a reminder to citizens in the county to continue following the COVID-19 guidelines in order to limit the spread of COVD-19.

“While the risk to the community from this outbreak is considered low at this time, it serves as an important reminder to residents of Hastings Prince Edward to continue to follow public health guidance at all times, whether in the workplace, out in the community or at home,” says Dr. Oglaza.