Jennie-O Turkey Store workers test positive for COVID-19

Employees at a Jennie-O Turkey Store plant in Willmar, Minnesota, have tested positive for COVID-19.

Roy Graber Headshot
(Courtesy Hormel Foods)
(Courtesy Hormel Foods)

Employees at a Jennie-O Turkey Store plant in Willmar, Minnesota, have tested positive for COVID-19.

Jennie-O operates two plants in Willmar, and according to a statement from parent company Hormel Foods, the coronavirus cases were confirmed in workers at its facility on Willmar Avenue. The company did not disclose how many workers tested positive, stating “we have found that the situations in our communities are changing daily.”

“As team members are impacted by COVID-19, we are doing what’s right and that includes quarantining and ensuring all close contacts are identified and also quarantined, as well as transparent communication with our team members, including translating communications into multiple languages. All impacted team members will continue to receive 100% of pay and benefits while they are away from work.”

“We continue to have the highest sanitation and food safety standards in all our production facilities. In addition, we have implemented enhanced operating protocols including education for team members on the COVID-19 virus, taking team members’ temperatures daily, using masks or personal protective face coverings, having on-site nurses who are available to answer questions and advise team members as well as helping them get access to local testing for COVID-19, increased sanitization frequency, updated policies and restrictions for visitors and business travel, and expanded remote work options for team members where applicable.”

The company said that as of April 22, all Jennie-O Turkey Store facilities continue to operate with minimal disruption.

COVID-19 and other Hormel Foods facilities

In its statement, Hormel said it would be transparent and report any possible closures of facilities due to deep cleaning or staffing issues that may be caused by COVID-19.

On April 18, Hormel announced that its Alma Foods plant in Alma, Kansas, would pause operations until May 4, after one employee tested positive for COVID-19. About 100 people are employed at the plant, which produces a line of fully-cooked meals and entrees, as well as Saucy Blues barbecue products for the foodservice sector.

That same day, Hormel announced it was suspending operations at its Rochelle Foods plant in Rochelle, Illinois, after receiving a closure notice from the local health department. The company said the closure notice was in response to COVID-19 concerns, and it was “consulting with internal and external subject matter experts to understand next steps to reopen the facility.” The suspension of operations is expected to last 14 days.

View our continuing coverage of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

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