VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON, US — United Grain has suspended operations at its grain export terminal at the Port of Vancouver after two of its on-site staff tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19), the company announced on June 29.

The company learned of one positive COVID-19 test result among its staff on June 25, said Stephanie McClintock, public relations manager. Company officials then began working to identify other employees that could have been exposed to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Several employees were tested Friday, McClintock said, and one of those tests came back positive on June 26 (the others were negative). She said both of the COVID-19-positive workers are United Grain employees, rather than longshoremen or contractors.

The company halted its port facility operations on June 26 and brought in a mobile testing truck on June 27 to test additional staff. The results of those tests were still pending as of June 29.

The facility remains closed, and McClintock said United Grain is working with Clark County Public Health and will rely on the agency’s guidance to determine when it is safe to restart operations.

United Grain operates the largest grain elevator on the West Coast, with more than 200 grain silos occupying much of the east end of the port. The terminal transfers grain from rail cars and river barges to ships bound for international destinations.

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