Employer not doing enough to protect courthouse staff, union says, after 8 sheriffs test positive for COVID-19

Eight sheriffs who work at the Surrey courthouse have tested positive for COVID-19, according to theB.C. Government andService Employees' Union.

A statement from the union said 23 sheriffs and twoother court staff are now self-isolating.

"The union's position is that it is an employers' responsibility to provide a safe workplace during the pandemic and what is happening at the Surrey courthouse indicates what this employer is doing is not enough," read the statement in part.

Fraser Health said in a statement it has not declared an outbreak at the Surrey courthouse.It says the health authority does not identify the specific location of confirmed cases until public health providers cannot be certain they have reached all those who need to be contacted.

Stephanie Smith, the president of the union, said she heard from union members and occupational health and safety staff that the health measures put in place at the courthouse were insufficient to keep workers safe.

"There was a bit of looseness around the provincial health officer's orders of mandatory mask wearing in work sites and common shared public spaces," she said.

"We know that, perhaps, capacity limits were not being enforced. There are a number of things that are really concerning."

Smith said testing is ongoing for all staff at the courthouse, and she's concerned the number of positive cases may tick upwards.

"Certainly, my concern is always for our members ...we know this is an incredibly stressful time for them," she said.

B.C. health officials announced 887new cases of COVID-19 and 13 more deaths on Thursday.

Public health is actively monitoring 10,307 people across the provincewho are in self-isolation due to COVID-19 exposure.