ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — More employees at a meat processing plant in Plainwell have tested positive for COVID-19 as company and local health officials continue to monitor those working at the facility for exposure.
Last week the Allegan County Health Department reported that 60 employees at the JBS meat packaging plant tested positive for the illness, identified as a potential hotspot for COVID-19.
JBS has now confirmed that 26 more employees have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases to 86 out of around 1,300 employees working at the location. The Allegan County Health Department says that one worker at the plant has died from COVID-19.
Allegan County Public Information Officer Lindsay Maunz has said that the plant has been compliant with health guidelines and is actively cooperating with the local health department to screen employees and limit exposure.
Other JBS facilities around the country have temporarily shut down in recent weeks due to large numbers of employees testing positive for COVID-19, including plants in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
The Plainwell plant temporarily ceased operations from April 16th through April 17th but has since reopened after the facility underwent deep cleaning procedures and additional health precautions were implemented.
Concerns over the high number of cases and potential exposure led many staff members to call off of work, prompting the short-term closure.
JBS has since worked out a deal with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 951 to increase the hourly pay rate by $4 through May 30th. In March the company announced that it would be granting a $600 bonus to employees.
Company officials say they are considerate of the concerns among employees over their safety at the meat processing facilities, stating that future closures may be necessary to protect worker health.
“We will endeavor to keep our facilities open to help feed the nation, but we will not operate a facility if we do not believe it is safe. The health and safety of our team members remains our number one priority,” said Cameron Bruett, head of corporate affairs for JBS in a statement to MLive.
The agreement with the union guarantees additional safety measures, including distributed facemasks worn over masks, and the installation of Plexiglas between workers on the factory floor to maintain social distance. UFCW leaders also add that employees have the option of staying home if they remain concerned about conditions at work.
Employees are now being given temperature checks and screened for potential symptoms before starting their shifts, and JBS officials say that work hours are being staggered to minimize contact among staff.
On Monday, April 27th the animal-rights organization PETA protested outside the Plainwell Facility, urging for it to be shut down. A released statement by the organization called on JBS to cease all meat processing and instead switch to vegan products.
JBS says the company is trying to be mindful of employee safety while maintaining adequate food supplies available to the public during the COVID-19 outbreak.
