Origin of Canada’s Mega Fitness Gym COVID outbreak still unknown

The origins of one of Canada’s most far-reaching coronavirus outbreaks is still unknown.

The Mega Fitness Gym 24H in Quebec City became a major source of contagion for the B117 variant, which was initially identified in the United Kingdom, CBC reported. And while about 70% of cases in the region can be linked to the fitness facility, it’s still not clear which member or what equipment sparked the latest wave of cases.

So far, 224 people have been infected at the gym, including a 40-year-old man who died. Another 356 related cases involving outbreaks across 49 workplaces have also been traced back to Mega Fitness.

The gym, now at the center of an investigation, has been shut down since March 31, when the rest of the nation was forced to shutter most of its businesses and go back into lock down.

Mathieu Boivin, a spokesperson for the local health authority, said the workout spot was found to be in violation of at least three public health orders before it was shut down last month. Staff there reportedly failed to ask patrons whether they were suffering from and COVID-19 symptoms, allowed patrons to ignore social distancing measures and did not require visitors to wear personal protective equipment.

“We’re not perfect,” the gym’s owner, Dan Marino, said in a written response to CBC. “No one is. But we’re doing our best.”

Marino has repeatedly resisted coronavirus closures and criticized officials for shutting down fitness spots nationwide.

In June, law enforcement responded to The Mega Fitness 24H after Marion opened the facility despite a local ordinance requiring it stay closed.

As of Thursday, nearly 1.1 million Canadians have been infected with coronavirus, including more than 23,000 who died.