Two CHCH-TV employees test positive for COVID-19

CHCH-TV has been advised that two employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

One employee is Clint “Bubba” O’Neil, Sports Reporter, who is recovering in Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington.

The other affected employee is currently at home in quarantine, and has been focused on recovery for the past week.

We wish them both good health, and we look forward to their return.

CHCH-TV has been working closely with Hamilton Public Health Services, who on Monday categorized this as a workplace outbreak.

In the findings of the assessment, three additional employees were identified as being in close contact with the first two employees.

Each of the additional three are self-isolating at home and fortunately, all three have since tested negative.

This past weekend, CHCH-TV proactively implemented several enhanced COVID-19 Health and Safety protocols above those already in place, which include:

• A thorough deep cleaning of the entire building, production equipment and vehicles
• A scaled back, 30 minute broadcast for Saturday and Sunday’s Evening News with a
  minimal number of staff, in order to support contact tracking and tracing initiatives
• A review and reinforcement of pre-existing COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures by front line managers and Human Resources, who continue to communicate with staff and
  provide support

Health monitoring and testing continues. At this time, no additional positive cases have been reported.

Other employees at CHCH-TV are deemed low-risk, should continue to self-monitor, and are encouraged to seek testing.

We are grateful for the positive support we have received from our viewers.

This support further strengthens our resolve, and our diligence to continue serving our communities with essential local news; while at the same time taking every step to maintain the safest possible workplace for our employees.