Foodservice

570 workers test positive for COVID-19 at Tyson Foods facility

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May 22, 2020

Tyson Foods Inc. reported that out of the 2,244 team members and contractors who work at its Wilkesboro, North Carolina poultry facility and were tested for COVID-19, 570 tested positive, the majority of whom did not show any symptoms and otherwise would not have been identified, according to a press release.

The total comprises 237 individuals who were tested by the Department of Health or when seeking care through their own health care providers and an additional 2,007 individuals who were tested onsite from May 6 to May 9. Team members who test positive receive paid leave and may return to work only when they have met the criteria established by both the CDC and Tyson.

The Wilkesboro facility is among an initial group of more than 30 production facilities in the U.S. where Tyson is rolling out testing capabilities and enhanced care options on-site to team members in partnership with Matrix Medical, a medical clinical services company, and other partners. 

As it is doing at the Wilkesboro facility, Tyson will disclose verified test results at other plants to health and government officials, team members and stakeholders as part of its efforts to help affected communities where it operates better understand the coronavirus and the protective measures that can be taken to help prevent its spread. 

Team members at Tyson's Wilkesboro facility have access to daily clinical symptom screenings, nurse practitioners and enhanced education. Axiom Medical, a health care case management provider, will also track the symptoms of team members who test positive and provide additional care. Production has begun to ramp up at the facility, where operations were limited on May 14 to carry out additional deep cleaning.

For an update on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting convenience services, click here.