Although an employee at Heartland Catfish has tested positive for COVID-19, officials at the processing plant have decided to continue its operation.
The 48-year-old employee, who asked not to be identified, said she learned the results “came back positive” on Monday. She said she was tested Friday and now is following health care instructions by observing a two-week self-quarantine.
Heartland CEO Danny Walker described what is being done at Heartland. “The employee has not been at work since (April 7),” he said.
There are 31 workers in the employee’s department, and approximately 331 people work at the plant, which is near Itta Bena.
Walker said, “We have spoken to the health department and have taken their recommended course of actions.
“We have communicated this to all of our employees.
“We continue to deep clean our plant every day.”
Heartland is following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Walker said.
Food processing qualifies as an essential service under Mississippi’s shelter-at-home regulations. The CDC says on its website that components of the food industry are considered critical infrastructure. “It is vital for the public health that they continue to operate.”
In situations such as Heartland’s, the CDC says to clean and disinfect the employee’s workspace and instruct employees who are well but have been exposed to COVID-19 to notify their supervisor. If they are showing no symptoms, the following steps still should be taken.
n Pre-Screen: The employer should measure the employee’s temperature and assess symptoms before he or she starts work. Ideally, temperature checks should happen before the individual enters the facility.
n Regular Monitoring: As long as the employee doesn’t have a temperature or symptoms, the employee should self-monitor under the supervision of the employer’s occupational health program.
n Wear a Mask: The employee should wear a face mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after the last exposure. Employers can issue face masks or can approve employees’ supplied cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.
nSocial Distance: The employee should remain 6 feet away from others and practice social distancing as work duties permit in the workplace.
n Disinfect and Clean work spaces: Clean and disinfect all areas such as offices, bathrooms, common areas and shared electronic equipment routinely.
The Heartland employee said she decided to get checked because she has a friend who tested positive, and “I had this hurting in my side, and my throat was sore. I went to the hospital, and they did X-rays and things. They said I had pneumonia.”
On Tuesday, however, she reported no symptoms of illness. “I am feeling fine,” she said.
Heartland’s products in-clude fresh and frozen catfish fillets and frozen nuggets. The employee, who has worked there for 19 years, said she heard from co-workers that they were wearing face masks and bandanas. She thinks face masks would be best. “I am glad I had some face masks in my car,” she said.
•Contact Susan Montgomery at 581-7241 or smontgomery@gwcommonwealth.com.
