4 positive COVID-19 cases at Hamilton's Mondelēz Canada candy factory forces shutdown

The Mondelēz Canada candy factory in Hamilton has been shut down after four workers there tested positive for COVID-19.

Three workers tested positive last week, a spokesperson says, and another worker tested positive on Sunday at the plant on Ewen Road, near Main Street West and Osler Drive.

"They are now self-isolating, receiving medical treatment and we are supporting them through this difficult time. We wish them a speedy recovery," Julie Edwards, senior director of the supply chain, wrote in a statement to CBC News.

"As soon as we were informed of the initial cases, we took swift action by launching an urgent investigation focused on the health and safety of our colleagues including contact tracing, and pausing the lines to carry out additional, focused deep cleaning and sanitation."

The plant is temporarily closed for the investigation and cleaning, which means all of its roughly 350 staff members are off work, but the company says it will continue to pay them.

The factory has four floors and spans 225,000 square feet with about 87 people working per shift. Edwards said some areas have physical barriers to separate employees. Other measures include more sanitization in the building, supplying masks to all workers and visitors that must be worn and temperature screening upon entering the building.

While the company works with brands like Oreo, Cadbury, Toblerone, Trident and others, the Hamilton factory mainly produces Sour Patch Kids and Maynards.

There's no word on how the workers contracted the virus and when the plant will resume operations.

Hamilton Public Health will not confirm any cases related to businesses or places of residence, making it unclear if this case is included in the city's total count. 

As of Sunday morning, Hamilton had 447 confirmed and seven probable cases of COVID-19. The virus has hospitalized 60 people and killed 20 in Hamilton.