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Pilgrim's Pride workers protested working conditions

“As of April 30, 2020, Todd County has seven lab confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID‐19).” according to Todd County Public Health. “Local transmission of the virus is occurring,” the Agency said.

 Previous cases had been confined to an elder care facility in Staples.

This announcement comes as Jennie-O Turkey in Melrose announced that it was shutting down operations to clean the plant. Health officials said the plant was a COVID-19 hot spot. They also said that Pilgrim’s Pride, a chicken processor in Cold Spring, was a COVID-19 hot spot, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

On Tuesday, April 18, nineteen Jennie-O employees had tested positive, according to Meat and Poultry magazine. No time line has been mentioned for reopening Jennie-O at Melrose.

A number of workers at Pilgrim’s Pride walked off the job on Monday because they felt that the company was not taking adequate steps to protect them. 

Numerous people from Todd County are employed at  the two plants.

Todd County Public Health urges people with COVID symptoms to call CentraCare Health at 320-732-3200 at any time of the day. They insist that patients not show up without an appointment. Symptoms include a cough combined with difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include fever, chills, and headache among other things.

Jenni-O employees will be paid while the Melrose plant is closed, according to the relative of one employee.

There are no reports of COVID-19 in any Long Prairie food processing plants. Dan’s Prize has furloughed some workers because business is slow, according to one employee.

Tim

Central Minnesota Political

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