Quarantined temporary foreign worker dies in Windsor-Essex
The Ministry of Labour is investigating after a temporary foreign worker who was quarantining due to COVID-19 died in Windsor-Essex.
A spokesperson said on Jan. 17, the ministry received a report of a temporary foreign worker who passed away during their quarantine before starting work at a farm.
“Leamington OPP and a liaison officer from the consulate were onsite during the MLTSD investigation,” said MOL spokesperson Ciara Nardelli.
Nardelli said the coroner’s office is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of death.
Organizer for Justice for Migrant Workers Chris Ramsaroop tells CTV News the worker who died was from Jamaica.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit would not confirm the death or comment on the case.
“The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is responsible for ensuring that personal health information of individuals remains private and confidential in compliance with current legislation. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, the WECHU is not able to confirm or deny a COVID-19 death in our community,” said a statement from the health unit.
Windsor-Essex medical officer of health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai said he can share the public health service perspective in general.
“Anytime there’s an unforeseen event and that includes a death, we try to understand what the facts and the circumstances of that death are,” said Nesathurai.
Joseph Sbrocchi from the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association tells CTV News the worker is around 40 years old and was double vaccinated.
“Everywhere you turn everybody did everything right,” said Sbrocchi. “Our migrant workers, at least in the greenhouse sector is probably 90-95% double vaccinated and every precaution possible gets taken and yet every once in a while something like this happens.”
Sbrocchi said the worker had tested positive from a PCR swab and was isolating in the isolation hotel. He was found unresponsive on the morning of the Jan. 17.
Sbrocchi said he was seen around 6 p.m. the night before not in any distress and was ready to be released from quarantine the next day. He said when the farmer showed up in the morning for a wellness check and to release him, he was unresponsive.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.