COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa — Tyson Foods has confirmed that two employees at its plant in Columbus Junction have died. The plant has been closed since April 6th because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
The Louisa County Public Health Department reported that 148 of its 166 COVID-19 cases are connected to the outbreak at the Tyson plant. Louisa County has more than 13 positive case of coronavirus per 1,000 residents according to OpenStreetMap, far higher than any other county in the state.
Tyson Foods released a statement, saying “We’re deeply saddened by the loss of two team members at our Columbus Junction plant. Their families are in our thoughts and prayers."
Governor Kim Reynolds has announced she's trying to get federal assistance to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks at food processing plants. She also said the state is sending resources to test 900 more people this week at the Tyson Foods plant in Columbus Junction.
The statement from Tyson further said, "We continue working diligently to protect our team members at facilities across the country by taking worker temperatures, requiring protective face coverings and conducting additional cleaning and sanitizing. We’re implementing social distancing measures, such as installing workstation dividers, spreading out work stations where possible, and providing more breakroom space.”