Statement from the Medical Officer of Health on the COVID-19 outbreak at National Steel Car

HAMILTON, ON – In an effort to stop transmission of COVID-19 amongst employees National Steel Car is voluntarily shutting down operations for two weeks as per Public Health Services recommendations. Currently there are 18 cases in multiple areas of the facility, which is indicative of a facility-wide outbreak.

Public Health Services recommended National Steel Car shut down operations as a necessary measure to get this outbreak under control. National Steel Car is cooperating with the outbreak investigation and infection prevention and control measures being recommended and undertaken in order to protect the health and safety of their staff, their families and the community.

We continue to monitor the local situation in Hamilton as it relates to COVID-19 and the presence of variants within the community. Locally, the COVID-19 situation is concerning with increased transmission, reduced hospital capacity and a rise in ICU admissions. It’s critical that community settings, workplaces, and all Hamiltonians, continue to follow public health guidance and advice to protect community members from the spread of COVID-19 – stay home as much as possible and get tested if you have symptoms, and continue following public health measures: physically distance, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently.

Additional resources

• COVID-19 Status of Cases and Outbreaks
• Public Health Guidance for Workplaces
• COVID-19 Business Continuity and Recovery Information
• https://covid-19.ontario.ca
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]