Second COVID-19 death linked to Cargill plant

CALGARY (CITYNEWS) – A second death has been linked to the Cargill meat processing plant.

Armando Sallegue died Tuesday.

His son Arwyn, a Cargill employee, tested positive the day before his dad was rushed to hospital only to find out he had the disease too.

Armando is a Philippine citizen who was staying with Arwyn and his family at their home in High River since early this year. He cherished the community and made friends feel like family.

“He’s a part of all people,” said Arwym Sallegue talking about his dad. “He’s a part of all people. It’s a wonderful community.”

Sallegue says his father could barely breath when he was rushed to hospital April 24. He was later transferred to Rockyview hospital in Calgary, breathing through a respirator and in an induced coma.

“Espcially in this unprecedented time, it is so difficult to lose a loved one,” said Sherissa Celis a board member of the Philippine Council of Alberta.

A non-profit organization that’s delivering groceries to Cargill workers in isolation, says it’s also been helping with mental health and now grief.

“There is anxiety over all of this,” said Celis. “But you can say there’s acceptance now, but tomorrow is another day.”

RELATED: Cargill plant reopens with fears from workers, fight from union

Wednesday is production day at the Cargill plant and anxiety is running high.

“I know I’m going to head into work, but I don’t know what it’s going to look like,” said a Cargill employee.

“Is my family going to be safe? Am I going to catch the virus to take to my family?”

There are more than 900 coronavirus cases among employees at the plant. The union that’s been trying to block the reopening says it says can’t yet legally strike.

Sallegue says his father died May 5, but May 6 according to Philippines local time – a comforting date for him because it’s his late mother’s birthday.

“My dad keeps telling my brother, that my mom keeps telling him in his dream, ‘Come and we will go together.'”

Armando Sallegue was 71-years-old.

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