Smithfield employee tests positive for COVID-19
March 26, 2020
One employee at the Sioux Falls plant for Smithfield Foods has tested positive for COVID-19, the company confirmed.
The employee is being quarantined for 14 days with pay and will not be permitted to return to work until cleared by a health care provider.
“We immediately carried out all the actions contained in our COVID-19 processes and protocols that follow the strict guidance of the CDC,” said Keira Lombardo, executive vice president of corporate affairs and compliance.
“This included thoroughly sanitizing the employee’s work area, as well as all common areas. This is on top of the enhanced cleaning and disinfection we have already instituted at all our locations. In addition, all employees at the facility have been notified.”
In a statement last week, Smithfield CEO Ken Sullivan said the company is committed to continuing operations.
“Food is an essential part of all our lives, and our more than 40,000 U.S. team members, thousands of American family farmers and our many other supply chain partners are a crucial part of our nation’s response to COVID-19,” he said. “At Smithfield, we are committed to keeping food on tables across America – today, tomorrow and every day.”
In Sioux Falls, Smithfield has 3,600 employees.
