West Liberty, Iowa-based West Liberty Foods reported today that two additional team members at its West Liberty, Iowa facility have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases at the facility to three. To the company’s knowledge, no team members working at any other West Liberty Foods location have tested positive for COVID-19.
“Our first priority is the health and well-being of our team, and we will continue to take precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of illness,” said Ed Garrett, CEO.
“Upon learning of the positive cases, we immediately activated our COVID-19 response protocols to identify other team members who may have been at risk of exposure,” said Brandon Achen, Chief Operating Officer. “The infected team members and the individuals working in proximity who were determined to be at moderate or high risk have been sent home to self-quarantine with pay.”
West Liberty Foods has adopted a comprehensive plan comprised of best practices to prevent, prepare for, and respond to a COVID-19 outbreak, including practices in regard to health and safety training, sanitation, personal protective equipment, travel restrictions, social distancing, and relaxed attendance policies.
The company has announced that it will close its West Liberty plant after the end of the first shift today and reopen on Tuesday of next week in order to carry out an intensive cleaning over the extended holiday weekend.
The federal government has designated the food industry as critical infrastructure that has a responsibility to continue production during the coronavirus pandemic. “We are especially proud of and grateful to our team members who allow us to help meet the nation’s food supply needs during these challenging times,” said Achen.
About West Liberty Foods
West Liberty Foods, L.L.C. is a farmer-owned company headquartered in West Liberty, Iowa. Recognized as one of the top 50 protein processors in North America, the company has the capacity to produce over 650 million pounds of food products per year across four facilities. West Liberty Foods meat and poultry products can be found in grocery stores and restaurant chains nationwide.
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