Four workers at a JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colo., have died of COVID-19, and the plant has been shut down until April 24.
Weld County, where the Greeley plant is located, is becoming a hot spot for COVID-19, with almost 740 cases reported. The Greeley plant accounts for 102 of those cases, although a representative of the union local that represents workers at that plant told Colorado Public Radio that based on her conversations with workers and their families, she believes the number of infected workers to be higher.
The Greeley facility has 6,000 employees and is the largest single employer in Weld County.
“While the Greeley beef facility is critical to the U.S. food supply and local producers, the continued spread of coronavirus in Weld County requires decisive action,” Andre Nogueira, CEO of JBS USA, said in a statement. “As a leading member of this community, we believe we must do our part to support our local health professionals and first responders leading the fight against coronavirus.”
