The FedEx depot at the Kelowna airport is pictured in the image from Google Street View. Three FedEx employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and more are in isolation after an outbreak at the Kelowna airport depot.

Image Credit: GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Three FedEx employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and more are in isolation after an outbreak at the depot near the Kelowna airport.

Interior Health's senior communication officer Karl Hardt said today, Oct. 15, six additional staff members are in isolation.

The depot is located on Airport Way at the Kelowna airport.

"The business has sufficient precautions in place to prevent COVID-19 transmission to the public, and there has been no COVID-19 exposure to the general public... (it) is not directly connected to the airport and no exposures have occurred from FedEx staff to airport workers," Hardt said.

During a press conference today, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said public health teams are on site and working with FedEx.

“There is no risk to those in the public who are picking up packages and contact tracing is being done," Dr. Henry said.

James Anderson, communications advisor with FedEx, said two employees remain off work after contracting the virus.

"FedEx is adhering to all regulations and guidelines from government authorities related to the containment of COVID-19. We continue to operate to and from impacted areas as local conditions and restrictions allow, and are taking recommended precautions in terms of pilot, team member, and customer health and safety," he said in an emailed statement.

Masks are required at the Kelowna facility and employees are provided with PPE and disinfectant to keep themselves and the community safe, he said.

"We are also encouraging our team members to take any signs of illness seriously and seek medical attention as needed.  We have also implemented a number of protocols in the field to limit personal interaction, including suspending physical signature requirements for the vast majority of shipments and providing no-contact pickups and deliveries," he said.
 
The outbreak has not impacted FedEx operations, he said.

— This story was updated at 3:55 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 to include a comment from FedEx.

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