A Harmony Beef in Alberta with a capacity of 750 head per day was closed as a result of COVID-19 infection. Confirmation of a diagnosis in a worker resulted in temporary withdrawal of inspectors by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This action followed the diagnosis and quarantine of contacts in the facility.
As reported previously in CHICK-NEWS the FSIS has assured processors that the Agency has developed contingency plans to maintain inspection in U.S. plants in the event of outbreaks of COVID-19 among either plant workers or inspectors.
The advent of COVID-19 and the temporary shutdown in the Harmony plant occurred at a time when demand for beef in Canada and the U.S. has sharply increased. Plants operated by Cargill and JBS have added additional shifts and increased production in Alberta, the major beef -producing province in Canada.