Dozens of workers at Tyson Foods’ beef plant near Pasco, Wash., have tested positive for COVID-19. The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health (WWCDCH) said Monday 30 cases have been detected among Tyson employees.
Tyson’s Pasco plant is one of the few facilities located in the northwestern U.S., with harvest capacity of 2,300 cattle per day. The plant employs about 1,400 workers.
WWCDCH officials said they are confident Tyson is “taking necessary precautions to prevent, or mitigate, additional spread” of the virus. Tyson has not announced any plans to close the plant.
The company said it is taking the temperatures of workers before they enter the Pasco plant and other facilities and is moving to the use of infrared temperature scanners at some plants. Workers are being provided more break room space to allow social distancing and workstation dividers have been installed.
Cleaning and sanitation has been increased at Tyson facilities, including in employee break rooms and locker rooms to protect workers.
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