Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

August 10, 2020

Notes from the Field: Characteristics of Meat Processing Facility Workers with Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection — Nebraska, April–May 2020

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  • Among 1,216 workers from a Nebraska meat packing facility tested for active SARS-CoV-2 infections in late April, 375 (31%) had positive results by RT-PCR. 
  • Case investigators following up with those who tested positive were able to reach 241 workers. Of these, 57% were male, the median age was 41, and 46% were Hispanic. Of the 163 (68%) symptomatic respondents, two were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. 
  • Close contact with a visibly ill person at work was reported by 29% of respondents, typically in either the production areas or cafeteria/break rooms. 
  • Although most (87%) reported always having their temperature checked upon entry to work, fewer (41%) reported always being asked about symptoms. 

Donahue et al. (Aug 7, 2020). Notes from the Field: Characteristics of Meat Processing Facility Workers with Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection — Nebraska, April–May 2020. MMWR. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6931a3