Two JBS plants under surveillance due to COVID-19 infections
Helth officials in Colorado and Nebraska are on alert due to several COVID-19 infections reported among workers in two meat processing plants owned by the US subsidiary of Brazilian meat giant JBS. An investigation has began at the plant in Greely, Weld County, Colorado after the epidemiologists learned of positive COVID-19 cases at the plant, and the department is learning about “lots” of employees seeking care in local emergency departments and public clinics.
"We are taking this situation seriously and are rapidly prioritizing any cases that may be associated with JBS. We've even added additional disease investigator staff to help with this investigation. The health department continues to stress to essential businesses that prevent employees from working while sick and adapting processes to ensure physical distancing is critical to preventing spread in their workforce and community," said the Health Department in Weld County in a statement, mentioned by Drovers magazine.
At another JBS’ facility, in Grand Island, Nebraska, 10 cases of COVID-19 were reported by the state’s Central District Health Department. Both plants are considered essential businesses, which allows the operations to continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Greeley plant can process 5,400 head of cattle per day, while the Grand Island plant has a capacity of 5,200 head per day.
In a statement to news outlets, JBS USA said, "As our community collectively faces this challenge, we must work together to defeat coronavirus. Food is an essential need, and our team is working hard to keep food on local grocery store shelves at a time when many Americans are unemployed, out of work or sheltering in place.
No one is forced to come to work and no one is punished for being absent for health reasons. If someone is sick or lives with someone who is sick, we send them home. Every day, thousands of committed team members show up to the Greeley beef production facility to help our community and our nation face this crisis,” the statement said.
On the other hand, Tyson Foods announced it has suspended operations at it’s Columbus Junction, Iowa, pork plant “out of an abundance of caution” as more than two dozen employees tested positive for COVID-19. "Our meat and poultry plants are experiencing varying levels of production impact, due to the planned implementation of additional worker safety precautions and worker absenteeism," said Tyson CEO, Noel White.
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