SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The union representing employees at a Smithfield pork processing plant in South Dakota said workers were induced to report to work through company bonuses as a rash of coronavirus infections broke out at the facility.
The Sioux Falls plant, which employees about 2,800 people in the state’s largest city, has emerged as a hotspot of infections, accounting for at least 1 in 5 confirmed cases in South Dakota.
Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon says over 80 employees have tested positive according to data from Tuesday.
The union representing employees at the plant reports that the number of people with confirmed cases is higher _ at more than 120.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s press secretary says she has been in close communication with Smithfield President and CEO Ken Sullivan over the last 24 hours.
In a release, Maggie Seidel said the health and safety of the Smithfield employees and the protection of our food supply is paramount.
Over the coming days, Smithfield will be taking additional steps to protect its workforce, especially those who are most vulnerable, against the spread of this virus. The plant will undergo a temporary closure, expand its already rigorous cleaning and sanitation practices, add new physical barriers to promote further social distancing, and provide paid time off for employees with a COVID diagnosis or quarantine.
Seidel says as Mr. Sullivan outlined in his announcement, this plant supplies nearly 130 million servings of food per week, or about 18 million servings per day, to our country. Seidel says the Governor realizes that as all South Dakotans know, we take pride in feeding America – from the farm through plants like these to our homes.
The Governor says she is appreciative of the decisive action Smithfield is taking to protect its critical workers during this difficult time.
The Health Department says over the coming weeks, they will be working closely with Smithfield leadership and plant management to help ensure all CDC guidelines are followed both inside and outside the workplace.
