More than 40% of the workforce at Tyson Foods pork-processing plant in Indiana have tested positive for coronavirus, NBC News reports.
The plant, located in Logansport, is one of several that voluntarily shut down operations towards the end of April to help prevent the spread of the virus.
According to the Cass County Health Department’s administrator, Serenity Alter, about 890 employees tested positive, though a spokesperson for Tyson did not confirm the number.
“Since this is an ever-changing situation, we are not disclosing the number of confirmed cases associated with a plant,” Hi Yang told the publication.
Yang revealed 2,200 people worked at the specific location. A few hundred employees have yet to be tested.
Yang confirmed that Tyson would be resuming limited production at the location next week.
“We’ve worked closely with Cass County officials, Cass County health department officials, the mayor of Logansport and the local union chapter on a re-opening plan that we all believe will be safe for team members,” Yang said.
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A statement reveals that a plant tour revealed “protective measures” including “more work station barriers, additional hand sanitizer dispensers, barriers in common areas to promote social distancing and more.”
The statement also explained that all team members were “asked to self-isolate until their results returned.”
Tyson added: “The company is working with local health officials on verification of test results and will communicate with team members prior to the restart date, while following CDC guidance on safely returning employees back to work. Workers who test positive or have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be directed to reach out to their health care provider, continue to self-isolate, and encouraged to take protective steps to care for themselves. Workers who test negative will be asked to return to work, provided they remain asymptomatic.”
Supermarket executives warn that a meat shortage could hit its peak next month with many stores facing elevated prices and empty shelves.
Plant closures amid the coronavirus pandemic have led to dwindling supplies of steaks, chicken breasts, pork chops, and cold cuts. Industry sources told the New York Post that products will become less available as more plants close.
Tyson spoke to the meat shortages in another statement explaining that due to closures, “there will be limited supply of our products available in grocery stores until we are able to reopen our facilities that are currently closed.”
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