Wednesday, December 16, 2020

PSA: City of Markham reports seven cases of COVID-19 at Markham fire station

MARKHAM, ON – December 16, 2020 – The City of Markham is confirming today that seven members of Markham Fire and Emergency Services have tested positive for COVID-19. Markham Fire and Emergency Services is following all established health and safety measures as outlined by Public Health.

Since reporting the first positive case, additional members of Markham Fire and Emergency Services were tested, with 11 negative tests confirmed. It is believed that three firefighters contracted COVID-19 in the workplace, while an additional four contracted it outside the workplace. All staff who have tested positive have been in self-isolation. None of the individuals who have tested positive to date had symptoms when they were at work.

A third-party deep clean of the entire fire station was undertaken as a precaution and the City of Markham continues to follow all public health reporting and guidelines. We are confident the situation is now stable and poses no risk to staff or to our ability to serve the community.

Anyone identified by Public Health to be a high-risk contact has been notified and instructed to be tested and to self-isolate. To our knowledge, no one outside Markham Fire and Emergency Services has been identified as coming into contact with any individual who tested positive, and no member of the public interacted with these individuals while they were on duty.

Markham Fire and Emergency Services locations are not open to the general public, and all firefighters responding to an emergency wear the highest standard of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and eye protection at all times. All staff continue to follow the most stringent protocols provided by Public Health.

The health and safety of our staff and our community continues to be our top priority. The City and Markham Fire and Emergency Services will continue to work closely with Public Health authorities and follow all necessary guidelines. The public can be assured that this situation has not affected service levels to the community.

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff at bfrois@markham.ca or 416.567.1177.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450.

For COVID-19 announcements from the City of Markham:
Visit markham.ca/covid19 or listen to 105.9 The Region – Markham’s information and emergency radio station.

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 355,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 240 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.

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