UNALASKA, AK – June 4, 2020 – Icicle Seafoods, Inc. is able to confirm that three employees tested positive for COVID-19 at the shore-based bunkhouse facility in Unalaska during the company routine quarantine testing program. The positive test results were received on 6/3/2020 and upon learning of the positive cases, Icicle immediately enacted the company isolation protocol for the employees as well as cleaning and sanitation protocol as per the company Community and Workforce Protective Plan.
COVID-19 testing is being initiated for additional employees and Icicle is working with local and federal health and government officials to identify further quarantine and testing recommendations, contact tracing, identification of potential risks to employees and the community, and appropriate actions to aggressively mitigate any potential concerns. Icicle tested and confirmed negative results for all employees in Seattle, WA prior to travel to Unalaska and the company has worked diligently to be prepared for the event of a positive case in Alaska. The Icicle team recognizes the local Unified Command’s swift, skilled, and coordinated response, and is extremely grateful for its partnership and support.
Seafood has been deemed a critical industry both by the Federal Government and the State of Alaska and Icicle is proud to continue to supply the world with sustainable seafood from Alaska. Icicle Seafoods remains completely committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, fishermen and the communities we operate in. We have a responsibility to keep our communities safe, and we take that responsibility seriously. Icicle Seafoods operates to the highest Federal and State of Alaska standards of sanitation, cleanliness, and hygiene. We have strengthened our existing plans and protocols to respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic so we can continue our important role as food producers.
Icicle considers the health and safety of our employees to be our highest priority. We are in constant communication with our employees to monitor their wellbeing and emphasize the importance of following all State, local and company guidelines and safeguards to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
All employees undergo daily symptom and temperature checks prior to entering the worksite, and all locations have adopted heightened standards when it comes to cleaning and sanitation protocols as well as employee training efforts on enhanced personal hygiene practices. Icicle has enacted additional protective measures for employees working in the processing area, enhanced PPE protocols, and each facility is operating as a closed campus to protect our workforce and the communities we operate in.
Icicle Seafoods is working to ensure all of our operations continue safely in order to secure sustainable seafood for the State and the Nation. Further updates will be provided as necessary.
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About Icicle Seafoods Inc.:
With proud roots dating back to 1965, Icicle Seafoods employs hundreds of workers through processing operations on the P/V Gordon Jensen and the permanently moored craft Northern Victor in Unalaska. These plants operate in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Western Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries. The company has a long-term supply contract with Evening Star Fisheries, an independent company, which owns and operates the floating groundfish processor and the permanently moored craft utilized by Icicle. Icicle Seafoods, Inc. is a division of the Cooke family of companies, a privately-owned sustainable seafood company based in New Brunswick, Canada.
Contacts:
Julianne Curry
Icicle Seafoods, Inc.
+1-907-518-1822
Julianne.Curry@icicleseafoods.com
4019 – 21st Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98199
+1-206-281-0988 / www.icicleseafoods.com
Joel Richardson
Cooke Inc./ for Icicle Seafoods, Inc.
+1-506-721-1093
Joel.richardson@cookeaqua.com
40 Wellington Row, Saint John, NB, Canada E2L 3H3
+1-506-694-4900 / www.cookeseafood.com