Businesses continue to be hit by virus

An estimated 20 employees of a local manufacturing firm have been tested and placed in isolation after one of their colleagues was diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.

But the management of Oran Ltd which employs about 100 workers at the main Harbour Road, St Michael plant has sought to make it clear that the affected worker did not contract the disease on the job.

“On Monday, February 1, 2021 we were informed that an employee in a manufacturing department tested positive for COVID-19,” management of the company told Barbados TODAY this afternoon.

The aluminium windows and doors maker said that in response, it contacted the Ministry of Health, and acted “swiftly” according to the health guidelines by referring “all connected personnel” for testing.

“The areas impacted have since been sanitized by a reputable cleaning company, and all affected employees have been instructed to isolate until the results of their tests have been confirmed,” management stated.

Oran said it will continue to consult with the Ministry of Health, follow their guidelines, and act in the best interest of staff members and the general public.

“We wish to reassure the public that this employee would not have been in contact with our customers,” management declared.

Meanwhile, the management of Abeds has responded to a post making the rounds on social media which alleged the company did not act in the best interest of its customers after a staff member tested positive.

In a brief statement, the popular fabric and textile company said, “We are saddened by the mischievous posts that have been circulating on social media and wish to state emphatically that the contents are false.

“Following a positive COVID-19 test result of one of our team members at our Sheraton Store last week, we have been working closely with the Ministry of Health and Wellness in the interest of our staff and customers. All of our actions have subsequently been guided by the ministry’s expert advice, which we have followed to the letter.”

The statement concluded by advising customers that the Sheraton Store only is closed for stocktaking today and tomorrow, ahead of the two-week “pause’ declared by Government.

Barbados recorded 13 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, out of the 520 tests conducted by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory. Eleven people were reported to have recovered and were released from isolation.

The number of active cases on the island stands at 375. There have been 14 COVID-related deaths since the first report of cases in Barbados last March.
(EJ)